Super Bowl LVIII Staff Predictions
LAS VEGAS -- Super Bowl LVIII between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers is nearly here.
Las Vegas has been bursting at the seams all week as fans and media alike have piled into Sin City for what's expected to be another highly competitive game to determine who walks away with the Lombardi Trophy.
Just like everybody else, we've assembled some of our own staff predictions for the big game, so enjoy - and don't forget to pass the buffalo chicken dip on Sunday.
Super Bowl LVIII Staff Predictions
Donnie Druin: This game is awfully tough to pick. In my opinion, the 49ers have the better roster from top to bottom - though the Chiefs simply have been playing better on top of their big game experience from previous years, and that absolutely matters, It's a close one, for sure, but give me Kansas City hanging on by a thread. KC 24, SF 20
Jack London: As painful as it is for me to pick the Niners, the Chiefs just don't have the weapons San Fran does. Mahomes is better than Purdy in my opinion but the Niners defense matches up well to cover Kelce and the few receivers KC has. Both defenses are playing pretty well so I think this will be lower scoring. SF 21, KC 17
Richie Bradshaw: Brock Purdy's 49ers are as complete a team as you'll find and history has shown us how seemingly impossible it is for teams to repeat as Super Bowl champions. The Chiefs have a lot of history stacked against them, but they have Patrick Mahomes and that might just be enough to do it. Even without him, however, this Chiefs defense is damn near elite and could give Purdy some fits.
It's not the Super Bowl we wanted, but it should be a good one regardless. Still, give me the Chiefs in a close one, followed by a Travis Kelce proposal to Taylor Swift at midfield. Hopefully he got something from Shane Co. KC 31, SF 27
Alex D’Agostino: This isn’t the same Chiefs offense that explodes for bulk yards and touchdowns anymore, but it is the same Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, etc. The 49ers have a formidable defense and run game, but I’m hard pressed to believe in Purdy to deliver a veteran-style playoff performance unless the San Francisco run game is at its absolute best. If Purdy has to throw the ball in bulk from behind, it’s already a lost cause, whereas Mahomes will function at his best when the pressure is highest. I see the Chiefs taking home another ring off the last-second foot of Harrison Butker, in a game that might be less offense-heavy than expected. KC 27, SF 24.