The potential outcome for Super Bowl LVIII in 2024 is a repeat of a previous matchup. The Kansas City Chiefs facing off against a strong defensive team led by an underrated quarterback is a reminder that history often repeats itself. It’s reminiscent of a reunion between Shanahan and McCaffrey, who won three Super Bowls together 25 years ago, with their first victory happening when Shanahan was a coordinator in San Francisco. Christian McCaffrey, the running back, is like the Eminem of his position, standing out and earning recognition while other running backs are undervalued. But there are even more noteworthy storylines to explore.
For those who have been following Cam Newton’s podcasts and agreeing with his insights on game managers and game changers, this Super Bowl offers a compelling narrative to dive into. For those who dislike Cam, it may seem like Purdy is simply imitating Jimmy Garoppolo from 2019. However, the reality is that Purdy is the only quarterback in this Super Bowl who has shown the ability to lead a heroic comeback like San Francisco’s against the Lions. In contrast, Mahomes had a limited role in the final minutes of Kansas City’s AFC Championship victory.
Watching Mahomes play has become less exciting these days. He used to be a thrilling player to watch. The younger and more dynamic Mahomes would gracefully escape the pocket, throw the ball high into the air, and hope for the best. He can still execute those plays, but now with a more noticeable dad bod. Andy Reid, the coach, has shifted away from the flashy and extravagant offense that Mahomes excelled in, and instead relies on a more conservative approach.
The only consistent standout from those glory days is Travis Kelce, whose performance has been declining recently. Kelce is popular in the media, but the excessive coverage of him is starting to wear people out. If you consume enough content about Kelce, you might find yourself dreaming or having nightmares where he begins every sentence with “bro.” If you think you’ve had enough of Kelce’s stories in the past year, you haven’t seen anything yet. Just wait until his brother Jason shows up at Allegiant Stadium, drunk and shirtless after a wild Vegas pool party, and proceeds to entertain equally intoxicated fans with his antics.
If Kansas City wins their third Super Bowl in five years, the Kelce-mania may continue to grow. Chiefs broadcasts this season have been annoying for various reasons, such as the awkward references to Taylor Swift or the constant complaints about the limited screen time she receives during games. To make matters worse, even long after we are gone, people may credit Travis as the originator of the buzz cut hairstyle with tapered sides, a style that has been popular in black barbershops for decades, thanks to the New York Times.
If there’s one player who has been crucial for Kansas City this season, it’s Chris Jones. He is a versatile defensive lineman who excels at rushing the edge and disrupting plays in the middle. However, Kansas City was hesitant to pay him what he deserved, and they played a risky game of negotiation with Jones until he finally signed a one-year extension just before the regular season started. Kansas City may not fully appreciate Jones until they have to face him in a different uniform next season.
This is also an election year, and the chaotic nature of national politics has seeped into the Kelce-Swift controversy. If you believe that Swift is part of a secret campaign for Biden in 2024, then Nick Bosa is the player for you. President Rumpelthinskin’s favorite NFL player may have deleted his old tweets, but the internet never forgets. If the 49ers weren’t focused on a playoff game on January 6th, 2021, the events of that day could have unfolded very differently. But that’s the Bosa of four years ago.
It’s important to note that Bosa has been average since signing his extension. He used to be a dominant force in the backfield, but now he seems to be running on empty. His ability to pressure the quarterback, sack totals, and overall impact have all declined. Alongside former second overall pick Chase Young, the 49ers have the biggest gap between production and name recognition in the league. George Kittle is the best tight end in this game if we consider recent performance over the past 19-20 games. If Kittle had played in an offense tailored to his strengths throughout his career, we might be discussing his potential Hall of Fame resume. Unfortunately, Kittle has had to work with a series of average quarterbacks.
One could argue that the 49ers have faced quarterback uncertainty over the past two decades because they passed on Tom Brady multiple times. During that time, they relied on a variety of temporary solutions, including Alex Smith, Colin Kaepernick, Trey Lance, and Jimmy G. They even passed on Peyton Manning after his neck surgery, opting instead for Kaepernick and Smith in a Greg Roman offense. In 2017, they selected Solomon Thomas over Mahomes and Deshaun Watson, although they may have dodged a bullet with the latter. In 2020, Kyle Shanahan believed he was making a smarter choice by sticking with Jimmy G instead of pursuing Brady once again. It would bring joy to many if Shanahan had to face the consequences of his poor decisions once more.
For Purdy, it would be satisfying to see him struggle on the big stage, as it would prove his doubters wrong. Purdy’s journey from being the last pick in the draft to becoming a surprise starter and Super Bowl quarterback is inspiring. Unlike Jimmy G, Purdy doesn’t make it easy for others to underestimate him, as he bears a resemblance to Prime Pete Buttigieg. But when he’s on the field, he keeps the 49ers’ offense running smoothly. Mahomes cannot afford to be outperformed in this game. Losing to a graying Tom Brady is one thing, but if Purdy outshines him, it may damage Mahomes’ claim as the greatest of all time.
If justice prevails, Kyle Shanahan will once again lose a close Super Bowl game, with Patrick Mahomes leading Kansas City to another come-from-behind victory. On top of that, Kelce might propose to his partner on the field, and eventually, we will all forget about this forgettable postseason.
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