Tremendous Bowl LVIII kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, with the San Francisco 49ers dealing with the reigning champion Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. It is a rematch of Tremendous Bowl LIV, after the 2019 season, wherein the Chiefs beat the 49ers 31-20.
That is Kansas Metropolis’s fourth look within the large sport in 5 years. The final time the 49ers gained the Tremendous Bowl was after the 1994 season in Tremendous Bowl XXIX. The 49ers entered the playoffs because the NFC’s No. 1 seed, whereas the Chiefs have been the AFC’s No. 3 seed.
Our NFL staff has you coated with every part you’d ever wish to know for 49ers-Chiefs, together with staff previews, daring predictions and sport picks. We additionally present betting recommendation from our sports activities betting consultants, game-plan breakdowns from our analysts, and in-depth statistics from the ESPN Stats & Data staff. We take a look at the 2 quarterbacks, coaches, positional benefits and a few X elements as nicely. We even preview the officiating, halftime present, damage report and high Tremendous Bowl MVP candidates.
It is all right here in a helpful one-stop cheat sheet. Let’s dive in, beginning with an outline of the thrilling matchup.
Leap to:
Preview | The groups | QBs | Greatest questions
Keys to 49ers win | Keys to Chiefs win | Picks
MVP watch | Stats to know | Daring predictions
Accidents | Officiating | Betting | Halftime | FAQs
Previewing 49ers vs. Chiefs
When: Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET
The place: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
Tv: CBS
Depth charts: 49ers | Chiefs
Sunday brings us a matchup of the NFL’s most persistently dominant groups over the previous 5 seasons, every with one thing to perform with a victory.
A win for the Chiefs would verify them as a dynasty. The checklist of groups to win three Tremendous Bowls in 5 years is not lengthy. The mid-Seventies “Metal Curtain” Steelers. The mid-Nineties Cowboys as constructed by Jimmy Johnson. The Tom Brady-and-Invoice Belichick Patriots managed to tug it off twice in two completely different a long time. That is it. A victory would put the Chiefs among the many biggest five-year runs in league historical past, full cease.
The 49ers would possibly really feel like they might be the dynasty if just a few issues had damaged their manner. Brock Purdy and Kyle Shanahan aren’t going anyplace, however a win would dramatically influence their tales. Purdy would go from being Mr. Irrelevant and a quarterback carried by his talent place gamers to the man who beat essentially the most gifted quarterback to ever reside in a Tremendous Bowl. Shanahan cannot return in time and maintain on to these two leads his groups blew within the Tremendous Bowl, however profitable one as a head coach would rewrite his legacy.
Oh, and Taylor Swift shall be watching, too. 5 months in the past, the season started with a Chiefs loss. Will it finish with one? — Invoice Barnwell, senior NFL author
Learn extra: Barnwell previews 49ers-Chiefs: Dynasty confirmed or legacy rewritten? (ESPN+)
2:02
Stephen A: Shanahan loss an even bigger story than Reid win
Stephen A. Smith explains why Kyle Shanahan dropping could be an even bigger story than Andy Reid profitable his third Tremendous Bowl.
Meet the groups
Coach: Kyle Shanahan
That is Shanahan’s seventh season because the 49ers’ coach and his second Tremendous Bowl look, the final one coming 4 years in the past vs. the Chiefs. If the 49ers win, Shanahan will be a part of his father, Mike, as a Tremendous Bowl-winning head coach. The Shanahans could be the primary father-son head-coaching duo to win a title within the historical past of the 4 main males’s professional sports activities.
How’d they get right here?
The Niners rolled via the common season, racking up 12 wins with some extent differential of plus-193, third greatest within the NFL. They have been so dominant within the convention that they wrapped up the NFC’s No. 1 seed in Week 17. For many of the season, San Francisco confronted questions on how it will fare if it wanted to ship in shut and late conditions. Because it turned out, the Niners have been saving their greatest for final in these moments.
Quarterback Brock Purdy engineered a game-winning drive within the rain in opposition to the Packers within the divisional spherical and the Niners erased a 17-point second-half deficit in opposition to the Lions within the NFC Championship Sport to earn a rematch in opposition to the Chiefs and an opportunity to avenge their loss to them in Tremendous Bowl LIV. — Nick Wagoner, 49ers reporter
Coach: Andy Reid
Reid is in his eleventh season because the coach of the Chiefs and is fourth on the NFL’s all-time head-coaching wins checklist (283). He’s looking for his third Tremendous Bowl title in his fifth Tremendous Bowl look. If the Chiefs win, he could be the fifth coach to win at the least three Tremendous Bowls, becoming a member of Invoice Belichick (6), Chuck Noll (4), Invoice Walsh (3) and Joe Gibbs (3).
How’d they get right here?
Not the best way they’ve earlier than. The Chiefs, at 11-6, misplaced extra regular-season video games than in every other season with Patrick Mahomes at quarterback. Mahomes had the worst statistical season of his profession in lots of classes, and the Chiefs weren’t among the many league leaders in factors as regular. As an alternative, they completed fifteenth in scoring (21.8 PPG). Their protection carried the Chiefs for a lot of the season and so they wound up second in factors allowed (17.3 per sport).
After beating the Dolphins 26-7 at Arrowhead Stadium within the wild-card spherical, the Chiefs needed to play on the street for the divisional spherical for the primary time because the 2015 season, or earlier than they drafted Mahomes. However the Chiefs beat the Payments 27-24 in Buffalo after which the Ravens 17-10 in Baltimore within the AFC Championship Sport. — Adam Teicher, Chiefs reporter
Learn extra: Why Reid shall be teaching Chiefs for ‘foreseeable future’ … Shanahan is able to meet the second (ESPN+) … Reid on doable retirement: ‘Right this moment’s not the day’
0:51
The place does Marcus Spears rank Andy Reid amongst all-time NFL coaches?
Marcus Spears discusses Andy Reid’s legacy and the way it will likely be outlined going ahead.
QB breakdown
Purdy was the 262nd and remaining decide within the 2022 draft and will turn into the lowest-drafted beginning quarterback to win the Tremendous Bowl (excluding Kurt Warner, who was undrafted). In his profession (together with playoffs), Purdy has a 21-5 (.808) file. He’s the third-youngest beginning quarterback in Tremendous Bowl historical past (24) — solely Dan Marino and Ben Roethlisberger have been youthful.
Power: Purdy excels at attacking the center of the sphere. The amount is there, definitely — 56% of his passes are between the numbers (third most amongst QBR qualifying quarterbacks) and 14% are between the hashes (most). However the effectivity is there as nicely. He ranks first in QBR (75) when throwing between the numbers and second (94) between the hashes — apparently, behind solely Mahomes.
He leads all quarterbacks in whole EPA on passes between the hashes, too. All of that is considerably anticipated on condition that Purdy performs in Shanahan’s offense, however the 49ers are the place they’re partially as a result of he can execute when throwing to that a part of the sphere.
Weak spot: Purdy has solely a 61 QBR in opposition to zone protection, which ranks twelfth amongst QBR-qualifying quarterbacks. For his numbers, that is a weak point. In contrast, his QBR in opposition to man protection is 90. The excellent news for the 49ers is that the Chiefs are the fifth-heaviest man protection staff within the NFL (51% man), and opponents cannot actually play that a lot zone in opposition to them anyway. In the event that they do, 49ers operating again Christian McCaffrey may have a subject day, as a result of operating again receptions skyrocket in opposition to zone protection. — Seth Walder, analytics author
Mahomes has a profession file of 88-25 (.779). He’s 3-0 in opposition to the 49ers, together with the Chiefs’ win in Tremendous Bowl LIV. In these video games, Mahomes has averaged 341 passing yards and the Chiefs have averaged 37.7 factors, their third most in opposition to any single opponent with him as their beginning QB.
He’s looking for his third Tremendous Bowl win in his seventh season, one thing solely Tom Brady and Troy Aikman have achieved. Mahomes might additionally turn into the primary participant throughout the 4 main males’s professional sports activities with three championships and two league MVPs inside his first seven seasons since Larry Hen (1979-86).
Power: When a quarterback drops again to go, there are three potential play sorts that may unfold: a go, a sack or a scramble. It is the primary sort that usually will get all of the glory (and that is all mirrored into the arcane passer ranking, too) however it’s sorts two and three the place Mahomes separates himself.
He refuses to take a sack, with only a 3.7% sack charge, and has generated the second-most scramble EPA (35.4) this season solely behind the Payments’ Josh Allen. In actual fact, on performs that resulted in a sack or scramble, Mahomes’ QBR was an 84 — once more, second behind solely Allen. Joshua Dobbs ranked third within the class with a 25, which fits to indicate how a lot Mahomes and Allen are in a league of their very own on this space.
Weak spot: Mahomes’ completion proportion over expectation this season (postseason included) is negative-1.1%, which ranks twenty third out of 30 QBR-qualifying quarterbacks, per NFL Subsequent Gen Stats. A few of that’s completely on the receivers, who’ve a 7.3% drop charge (utilizing completions plus drops as a denominator), second worst within the NFL and a league-low 28 catch rating (per ESPN’s receiver monitoring metrics). However accuracy has by no means been Mahomes’ dominant trait, as a result of no matter his receivers, he has by no means posted a completion proportion over expectation above 1% in a single season. — Walder
1:41
Swagu on how Patrick Mahomes makes soccer look straightforward
Marcus Spears lauds Patrick Mahomes’ greatness and explains why he thinks he stands out from the remainder.
Learn extra: Mahomes, on legacy, says Brady’s mark remains to be far off … 49ers’ Purdy including scrambling, comebacks to résumé … Mahomes, Chiefs thrive in underdog function … Why 49ers consider Purdy is their star QB
Greatest questions
Do you count on 49ers CB Charvarius Ward to comply with Chiefs WR Rashee Rice?
Most likely not. The 49ers have sometimes deployed Ward to cowl different groups’ high wideouts, most notably in opposition to the Seahawks’ DK Metcalf. However they largely desire to play zone protection and have been way more profitable sticking to these zone rules than enjoying man. Within the common season, quarterbacks had a QBR of 43.9 in opposition to San Francisco’s zone protection (the seventh lowest within the NFL), however that quantity jumped to 59.8 when the Niners performed man protection (14th).
What’s extra, Mahomes had a 70.4 QBR with 21 touchdowns and 7 interceptions in opposition to man protection and a 64.8 QBR with six touchdowns and 7 interceptions in opposition to zone. That is to not say the Niners will not combine coverages, together with match choices, however they’re unlikely to drastically change their method right here to cowl Rice. — Wagoner
How is that this Chiefs staff completely different from the opposite Reid-Mahomes groups which have made the Tremendous Bowl?
The Chiefs now lead with protection, whereas previously they leaned on their offense to get it executed. That they had an early lead within the AFC Championship Sport in opposition to the Ravens, and so they have been content material to lean on their protection to carry on, which it did by creating three turnovers (two within the fourth quarter). The Chiefs have been second within the league in sacks through the common season, and so they do not should depend on Chris Jones alone to get them. George Karlaftis tied with Jones for the staff lead in sacks through the common season with 10.5 and has 2.5 within the playoffs.
The secondary has a number of versatile gamers, permitting coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to select from a wide range of coverages. Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed has for a lot of the season adopted the opponent’s high extensive receiver and often executed a pleasant job. He did not yield his first landing go of the season till the divisional spherical win over the Payments. Mahomes, consequently, is content material to play a complementary sport. He accomplished 30 passes in opposition to the Ravens however for simply 241 yards. That was sufficient to get the job executed. — Teicher
Keys to a 49ers win
Positional benefit: Linebacker
Niners linebackers Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw will play a crucial function Sunday, given the Chiefs’ offensive tendencies throughout their postseason run. Kansas Metropolis has averaged 127.3 yards dashing in three playoff wins, with lead again Isiah Pacheco checking in at 84.7 yards per sport. Warner and Greenlaw can use their potential to shortly key and diagnose versus the run sport, enjoying downhill to fill gaps or pursuing to chop off the ball on the perimeter. Plus, each linebackers can influence the passing sport by attending to depth and shutting second-level throwing home windows versus Mahomes. — Matt Bowen, NFL analyst
49ers’ X issue: Dre Greenlaw, LB
The 49ers are the No. 1 protection on passes in the midst of the sphere, and so they’re particularly robust on intermediate passes up the center. On passes up the center between 6 and 15 air yards, the 49ers allowed a 53% catch charge, in contrast with an NFL common of 67%. Warner is a vital a part of this go protection, however his companion is perhaps the extra necessary participant for this sport as a result of he is extra typically masking opposing tight ends. If you happen to take a look at targets to opposing tight ends this season, 42 of them had Greenlaw in protection, in contrast with 28 for Warner, and no different 49ers defender was above 12.
When Mahomes is in search of Travis Kelce, Greenlaw is the participant almost certainly to be in protection. For the 2023 season, together with the playoffs, Warner is the participant who had the higher protection DVOA. Nevertheless, each Greenlaw and Warner have gotten higher over the second half of the season. Earlier than the 49ers’ Week 9 bye, Greenlaw allowed 24% DVOA in protection whereas Warner was at minus-1%, or practically common. Since Week 10, Greenlaw has allowed a minus-6% DVOA in protection whereas Warner is at minus-28%. (Destructive numbers are higher for defenders, since they characterize much less offensive success.) — Aaron Schatz, NFL analyst
Rookie to observe: Ji’Ayir Brown, S
Brown was the 49ers’ first choice within the 2023 draft manner down in Spherical 3. Regardless of some up and down moments this season, he completed second in tackles (10) within the NFC Championship Sport. The rookie security shall be a key a part of a 49ers secondary that is trying to decelerate Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense, however I wish to see extra from him in protection. Brown did have two interceptions this season, although. — Jordan Reid, NFL draft analyst
Keys to a Chiefs win
Positional benefit: Tight finish
Together with the playoffs, the 49ers’ protection has performed zone protection on 67.1% of opponent dropbacks, mixing each single-high and split-safety schemes. The Chiefs can create open voids within the protection for Kelce, who has caught 23 of 27 targets for 262 yards within the playoffs, with 38.2% of these yards coming after the catch. And when the 49ers do play man protection, particularly on third downs, Kelce has a matchup benefit within the route tree versus security Tashaun Gipson Sr. — Bowen
Chiefs’ X issue: L’Jarius Sneed, CB
The Chiefs ranked fifth in DVOA in opposition to No. 1 receivers and allowed a league-low (opponent-adjusted) 49.4 yards per sport to these receivers through the common season, largely due to Sneed. DVOA for go protection based mostly on catches allowed in comparison with all snaps in protection, Sneed completed fifteenth amongst cornerbacks (minimal 300 protection snaps) with a minus-22% DVOA allowed.
However what’s extra spectacular for this sport is how Sneed has improved over the course of the season. Within the first 9 weeks, he allowed a minus-10% DVOA. Within the subsequent 9 weeks, he allowed a minus-40% DVOA. And within the three playoff video games, Sneed has allowed a minus-50% DVOA in protection, which might have ranked second for the 12 months.
A part of the explanation Sneed is the X issue is that we do not know whom the Chiefs take into account to be the 49ers’ most necessary goal. Will they put Sneed on Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel, or transfer him between the 2? The receiver Sneed covers is perhaps surprisingly quiet, and the one he doesn’t is perhaps surprisingly productive. — Schatz
Rookie to observe: Rashee Rice, WR
The Kansas Metropolis passing sport was stale because the season hit the halfway mark, however the rookie rejuvenated the offense whereas changing into the highest extensive receiver goal for Mahomes. Rice grabbed 79 passes for 938 yards and 7 touchdowns whereas beginning solely eight video games. Within the staff’s three playoff video games, he has added 20 catches for 223 yards and a rating whereas preserving safeties from keying on Kelce.
For the Chiefs to beat the 49ers, Rice must step up with Steve Wilks’ protection spying and eyeing Kelce on third downs. Rice’s sharp route operating and reliable arms will make him a go-to goal for Mahomes early and sometimes. — Matt Miller, NFL draft analyst
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ESPN’s FPI has the 49ers profitable 59.4% of the simulations. And they’re favored to win by a mean of three.1 factors.
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This matchup is a showdown between the highest staff in FPI, the 49ers (10.1), and the Chiefs (7.4) in fifth. The 49ers are No. 1 in offense (Chiefs rank seventh), and Kansas Metropolis is No. 5 in protection (San Francisco is seventh).
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The Chiefs began the season No. 1 in FPI within the preseason, whereas the 49ers have been No. 5.
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Within the preseason, the 49ers had the second-best likelihood to make the Tremendous Bowl (22.4%) and the Chiefs had the third greatest (20.6%). And Kansas Metropolis was given a 12.7% likelihood to win it to San Francisco’s 11.7%.
Who wins the sport?
We requested 64 consultants to weigh in on who will win. The Chiefs have been picked by 49 of them (76.6%), whereas the 49ers claimed 15 votes (23.4%). The most typical predicted remaining scores have been 27-24 (picked by eight of our consultants) and 27-21 (seven).
Learn extra: ESPN workers predictions
2:19
Joe Montana praises Brock Purdy on McAfee
Joe Montana joins “The Pat McAfee Present” to speak about Brock Purdy’s composure and the way he sees himself within the 49ers quarterback.
Of the 64 consultants who weighed in, 38 (59.3%) picked Mahomes to win Tremendous Bowl MVP. And Mahomes (+130), Purdy (+225) McCaffrey (+450) are the ESPN BET betting favorites. We requested just a few consultants to elucidate their MVP prediction.
Jeremy Fowler, nationwide NFL author: McCaffrey. The 49ers RB just isn’t solely the premier participant at his place, however he is a big-game producer. In 5 playoff video games with San Francisco, he has six whole touchdowns and averages 112 yards. So, even an off day retains him within the MVP dialog. And he will not be off.
Dan Graziano, nationwide NFL author: Mahomes. I feel the 49ers may have extra success in opposition to the Chiefs’ protection than Baltimore did, which suggests this must be extra of a shootout — and I am all the time going to select Mahomes to make another play than the opposite man in a Tremendous Bowl shootout.
Jason Reid, Andscape senior author: Mahomes. As one of the best participant within the league, Mahomes elevated his sport to a different degree this postseason — and can maintain it happening Sunday.
Seth Wickersham, NFL author: Warner. No one is shutting down Kansas Metropolis’s offense with out nice linebacker play. So I’ve the league’s greatest linebacker profitable MVP.
Lindsey Thiry, nationwide NFL author: Mahomes. A two-time Tremendous Bowl champion and MVP, Mahomes has a confirmed observe file of enjoying as much as and past his personal customary of greatness on the largest stage. After navigating a difficult season, which included evident rising pains together with his receiving corps, look ahead to Mahomes to increase his streak of six straight postseason video games with out an interception and switch in a efficiency that features his signature potential to increase performs.
Learn Extra: Tremendous Bowl betting odds: MVP, matchup outcomes, extra … Specialists predict 49ers-Chiefs rating, MVP
Stats to know
Crew stats: 49ers | Chiefs
49ers
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The 49ers have led for 22.9% of time via their two video games this postseason, the second-lowest proportion of time main within the postseason getting into Tremendous Bowl (1994 Chargers).
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The Niners are the fourth staff to have each a 4,000-yard passer (Purdy) and 4 gamers with 1,000 scrimmage yards (McCaffrey, Aiyuk, Samuel and Kittle) in a season, however they’re the primary of them to make the Tremendous Bowl.
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Purdy has a 91 QBR within the second half of video games this postseason, a dramatic improve from a 59 QBR within the first half. The 49ers have averaged 22.0 factors per sport within the second half and simply 7.0 within the first half.
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McCaffrey led the NFL in dashing yards through the common season (1,459). He is the primary dashing champion to achieve the Tremendous Bowl since 2005 (Shaun Alexander), and will turn into the primary to win the Tremendous Bowl since 1998 (Terrell Davis).
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Rookie kicker Jake Moody has missed 4 kicks in his previous three video games (3 of 6 FG, 9 of 10 additional factors). He missed simply three kicks in first 16 video games of the season (21-24 FG, 58-58 XP).
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This season, together with the playoffs, the Niners have averaged 7.1 yards per play with Samuel on the sphere, in contrast with 5.5 yards per play when he is off the sphere.
Chiefs
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Mahomes has 14 playoff wins as beginning quarterback, tied with Peyton Manning, John Elway and Terry Bradshaw for the third most by a beginning quarterback since 1950 — trailing Brady (35) and Joe Montana (16).
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Kelce has tallied eight postseason video games with 100-plus receiving yards, tied with Jerry Rice for many in NFL historical past.
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The Chiefs’ receivers had the best drop proportion within the NFL through the common season at 6.2%. Their drop proportion throughout this postseason is simply 3.3% — which might have tied for ninth greatest through the common season.
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Kansas Metropolis has a 13-2 file (together with playoffs) when it holds opponents to twenty factors or fewer. The Chiefs are 1-4 when opponents rating at the least 21 factors.
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The Chiefs are 9-3 this season when Taylor Swift is in attendance. Kelce averages 78.8 receiving yards per sport with Swift in attendance. Swift shall be acting on tour in Tokyo from Wednesday to Saturday.
Daring predictions
McCaffrey will end with 20 or extra dashing makes an attempt and over 120 dashing yards. The Chiefs’ defensive entrance has contained opposing operating backs throughout their postseason run, however they have been weak to the run through the common season (NFL-worst 27% run cease win charge). In each of Shanahan’s earlier Tremendous Bowls, he was criticized for abandoning the operating sport together with his playcalling. With McCaffrey, I do not see that taking place. — Eric Moody, NFL analyst
Mahomes is not going to be sacked or flip over the ball. There was a particular enchancment in these two areas because the playoffs began. Mahomes was intercepted at the least as soon as in all however 5 regular-season video games he performed in however has but to be picked off within the playoffs. And after being sacked 13 instances in 5 video games in December, Mahomes has gone down twice in three playoff video games since. It will go a good distance in assuring a Chiefs win. — Mike Tannenbaum, NFL analyst
A operating again will take over the sport and win MVP. Of the 58 Tremendous Bowl MVPs (one was shared), solely seven have been operating backs — the latest Terrell Davis in 1998. If the Chiefs win, Mahomes could be the MVP favourite, however might Pacheco steal it away? With the Chiefs operating extra close to the purpose line as of late, Mahomes has failed to achieve two passing TDs in six of his previous eight video games, whereas Pacheco has at the least one TD in seven consecutive outings. If the Niners win, there is a good likelihood McCaffrey (25 TDs in 18 video games this season) may have had an enormous sport. — Mike Clay, NFL analyst
1:02
Why Patrick Mahomes reminds Dan Graziano of Derek Jeter
Dan Graziano compares Patrick Mahomes’ composure within the large moments to that of Yankees Corridor of Famer Derek Jeter.
Who’s in, and who’s out?
Damage studies: Chiefs | 49ers
The Chiefs shall be skinny on their defensive position with Charles Omenihu dominated out after tearing an ACL within the AFC Championship Sport. They misplaced one other defensive lineman, Derrick Nnadi, for the remainder of the season earlier within the playoffs. Rookie Felix Anudike-Uzomah, the Chiefs’ first-round draft decide, might want to play some high-quality snaps. He has been a wholesome scratch in latest weeks. The Chiefs are holding out hope that All-Professional guard Joe Thuney can play, however it’s unlikely. He injured his pectoral muscle earlier within the playoffs. Nick Allegretti crammed in nicely within the AFC Championship Sport. — Teicher
All issues thought-about, the 49ers enter this week about as wholesome as a staff could possibly be at this level within the season. Tight finish George Kittle did not observe final week due to a toe problem, however he stated Friday he has no issues about it and he was no listed on the damage report the staff launched final week. Sure, the Niners shall be with out beginning robust security Talanoa Hufanga, who tore the ACL in his proper knee in November, however they’ve most of their starters rested and able to go for the largest sport of the 12 months. — Wagoner
Learn extra: Chiefs’ Thuney nonetheless looking forward to SB return … 49ers to ‘take care of’ smooth observe subject, will not alter schedule … Toney says IG rant was at Giants followers, not Chiefs
What to know concerning the officiating
Referee Invoice Vinovich is main his second Tremendous Bowl crew previously 5 years, and his third total. His look extends a outstanding restoration from an aortic dissection that almost killed him in 2007 and shelved his on-field officiating profession for six seasons. He returned full time in 2013. His regular-season crews have yearly thrown the fewest flags within the NFL for many of the previous decade, though his 2023 crew tied for the seventh fewest.
Vinovich was the lead referee for Tremendous Bowl LIV, which additionally matched the Chiefs and 49ers. That crew threw a complete of 11 flags, two of which have been declined. Of the remaining 9, 5 went in opposition to the 49ers and 4 in opposition to the Chiefs. — Kevin Seifert, Vikings reporter
Learn extra: Skilled officiating crew to work Tremendous Bowl
The right way to guess Tremendous Bowl LVIII
Present line from ESPN BET Sportsbook: 49ers -1.5, O/U 47.5
The Chiefs look to be the fourth straight underdog to cowl within the Tremendous Bowl, together with upset wins by final season’s Chiefs and the 2020 Buccaneers. No quarterback has been higher as an underdog than Mahomes, who’s 10-1-1 in opposition to the unfold and 9-3 outright as an underdog, one of the best marks by any quarterback within the Tremendous Bowl period (minimal six video games). Mahomes shall be an underdog in three straight video games for under the second time in his profession, alongside together with his first three profession begins.
The 49ers are the second staff to achieve the Tremendous Bowl with out masking in a playoff sport, together with the 2007 Patriots, who misplaced outright as 12.5-point favorites to the Giants in Tremendous Bowl XLII. San Francisco was the one staff to be favored in each sport this season.
Favorites are 36-21 outright and 27-28-2 ATS within the Tremendous Bowl. Overs are 27-28-1 excluding Tremendous Bowl I. The present whole of 47.5 could be the bottom since Tremendous Bowl 50. — Mackenzie Kraemer, researcher
Learn extra: Every thing on methods to guess Chiefs-49ers … Large Tremendous Bowl bets and wild developments … Which dashing and receiving props must you guess on? … Survey: Individuals anticipated to guess $23.1B on Tremendous Bowl
Who’s enjoying the halftime present?
Eight-time Grammy Award winner Usher shall be acting at halftime of Tremendous Bowl LVIII. Usher, 44, springboarded into superstardom with “Confessions,” which bought greater than 10 million items in the US and earned him eight nominations on the 2005 Grammys, profitable him three. He misplaced Album of the Yr to Ray Charles’ remaining album, “Genius Loves Firm,” launched two months after the legend died.
“Confessions” ranks among the many best-selling music initiatives of all time and launched No. 1 hits reminiscent of “Yeah!” with Ludacris and Lil Jon, “Burn” and “Confessions Half II.” His particular version model included the sleek hit “My Boo,” a duet with Alicia Keys. Subsequent 12 months will mark the twentieth anniversary of the album.
Learn extra: Hottest Tremendous Bowl halftime performances since 2004 … The NFL playoffs, as defined by Usher’s catalog
Tremendous Bowl FAQs
1:52
Why Travis Kelce is Shannon Sharpe’s GOAT tight finish
Shannon Sharpe joins “The Pat McAfee Present” and explains why he has Travis Kelce because the NFL’s GOAT tight finish forward of Rob Gronkowski.
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