The Scorecrow Family | February 2nd, 2020
Super Bowl LIV will be between two of the best teams in the league. The NFC is represented by the San Francisco 49ers, while the AFC is represented by the Kansas City Chiefs. Over the last two weeks, we have heard every talking head in the country give their take for this game. However, The Scorecrow family is here to give our takes for the big game tonight. 11 of our writers have come together to give a winner, a final score, and their reasoning why. Without further ado, let’s see what our experts have to say.
Mike Fanelli: Chiefs 27 – 49ers 24
This game is a battle between two of the best teams this season. The Chiefs’ offense is obviously their strength while the 49ers’ defense is arguably the best in the league. The “winner” of this matchup will win the game. I am taking the Chiefs for one simple reason; Patrick Mahomes. In the end, I expect a close game and in a battle between quarterbacks, I will take Mahomes over Jimmy Garoppolo 10 out of 10 times.
Mason Thompson: Chiefs 34 – 49ers 31
This year’s Super Bowl should be very entertaining as it is a game that features two evenly matched teams. I’m predicting that the Chiefs will win 34-31 in Miami this weekend behind Patrick Mahomes. Andy Reid has coached far longer than Kyle Shanahan and has experience in the big game. The Chiefs coaching staff is capable of scheming against the 49ers offense and Kansas City has the offensive line to contain the 49ers front seven.
Connor Neal: 49ers 31 – Chiefs 28
Although it’s looked like the Chiefs offense has been near unstoppable, the 49ers have more than just a passing attack. On top of the 49ers’ more diverse offense, they have a dominant defense. Richard Sherman and company won’t allow easy catches combined with the defensive line of the 49ers that has locked down every running attack they’ve faced this season, the Chiefs will eventually be outmanned and lose in the final minutes of the game.
Josh Livi: Chiefs 27 – 49ers 24
I think the Kansas City Chiefs win the trophy. They lock in on stopping the run game for the San Francisco 49ers run game and make Jimmy Garoppolo beat them. In the NFC title game, Garoppolo threw only eight times. That is going to be different as the Chiefs will lock in on Raheem Mostert and force him to throw. We also can’t forget Patrick Mahomes will be throwing the ball for the Chiefs. He is going to be airing it out all game and I expect him to continue to shatter records! MVP goes to the man who’s been doing it all this year, Mr. Mahomes
Nickolas Loza: 49ers 33 – Chiefs 30
It’ll come down to the final drive, but I believe Robbie Gould will kick the game-winning field goal with time expiring. The Niners are gonna run all over the Chiefs as they have a distinct advantage when it comes to working the clock and keeping the ball in their hands and out of the hands of Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense.
Nick Popio: 49ers 30 – Chiefs 27
Their defensive line should provide enough pressure into making a couple of costly mistakes for Patrick Mahomes. I also expect San Francisco’s run game to continue where it left off in the NFC Championship game. Kansas City’s defense can be suspect at times, so watch to see if Kyle Shanahan can exploit that throughout. Plus the curse of Andy Reid not winning the big one has got to be factored in as well.
Nick Jehamy: 49ers 33 – Chiefs 31
Andy Reid deserves to win a Super Bowl and I’d love to see it happen, but I think he once again falls short. The Chiefs have one of the most electric offenses in the NFL and seem almost unstoppable. I don’t think the 49ers are going to completely stop them, but if anyone can slow them down it’s the 49ers. On top of that, the Chiefs defense is not extraordinary, the 49ers three-headed monster in the backfield will have an exciting time on Sunday. In the end, Jimmy Garoppolo is going to prove all the doubters wrong with his clutch performance. Tom Brady may not be in the Super Bowl but somehow the Patriots still are connected here as Brady’s former backup is going to win his third ring, first as a starting quarterback.
Brandon Braasch: 49ers 34 – Chiefs 30
I expect this Super Bowl to be one of the best I’ve seen in the last couple of years. One of the top defenses is going against one of the top offenses. Both teams have playmakers on both sides of the ball. I expect a high scoring back and forth game. Ultimately I like the San Francisco 49ers to win their sixth title. Jimmy Garoppolo is going to have a lot of pressure on him and I think he is going to silence his critics and play the game of his life.
Zach Gotlieb: Chiefs 31 – 49ers 27
As a Broncos fan, I am not cheering for this. As an analyst, I just don’t see the 49ers winning. The Niners have an outstanding front-seven, and that will undoubtedly help. The Chiefs have so many weapons. Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman can run by anyone in the league. Both have excellent hands and top-notch speed. If you can slow them down, fine, but there’s still Travis Kelce. The weapon that kills underneath while the lid is taken off the top of the rest of the defense. Patrick Mahomes has one of the strongest arms in the league and is one of the best improvisers in the league. Their offense is just too good. Their defense is also extremely underrated. It’s time for Andy Reid to get his long-overdue first championship.
Ethan Hewett: Chiefs 31 – 49ers 28
These two teams are pretty evenly matched. Both have solid skill position players. This game will also feature Travis Kelce and George Kittle; arguably the two best tight ends in the NFL. Both defenses have solid secondaries and excellent pass rushers. However, the 49ers want to run the ball and if Kansas City can get a big lead early they take away the 49ers’ biggest offensive strength, surprise. Luckily the Chiefs have Patrick Mahomes who can do just that and allow Kansas City to force Jimmy Garoppolo into obvious passing situations and unleash their defensive line throughout the second half. Chiefs win in a close game.
Joey Ricotta: 49ers 27 – Chiefs 23
While I’d love to see Andy Reid get his long-overdue first Super Bowl victory, the 49ers have the juice on defense to somewhat neutralize Kansas City’s offense. In the NFC Championship game, we witnessed the 49ers run the ball at will and put Aaron Rodgers in check. Patrick Mahomes is playing at another level and I don’t expect the 49ers to completely shut him down, but my gut tells me they pull it out. I also like the total under in this game as well. This has all the makings of a classic. I could see it going either way and without having a dog in the fight, that’s all I could ask for.
In the end, it’s an almost even split. Six of our writers believe the 49ers will be champions tonight and five believe the Chiefs will be. Either way, we all hope the game is exciting and close down to the final minute. The 2019 NFL season officially ends tonight, only have to wait seven months for meaningful football. Hopefully, the offseason goes by real fast.
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