Final thoughts
Congrats to the Kansas City Chiefs and thanks to both the Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers for making my final Super Bowl a very memorable one.
Thank you @HunterFelt!
— David Lengel (@LengelDavid) February 12, 2024
Thanks so much to David Lengel, my partner in liveblogging for over a decade. I usually talk more about the game here but I want to take this time to thank you all for reading me all of these years. I came in here completely green and I found that the Guardian readers held me to a high standard and, alongside my many wonderful editors over the years, really helped turn me from a would-be internet comedian to a genuine sportswriter.
I will miss having you all as an audience. I hope you stick with the Guardian’s US sports team as they continue to cover the aftermath of the Super Bowl and beyond. It’s really been an honor to work with so many talented and encouraging writers. I have no idea what’s next but I hope that I have even half as much fun as I did here over the last 12 years. Ciao!
Updated
Have they just not announced Super Bowl MVP? In any case, the internet tells me that it’s Patrick Mahomes for the third time in his career and there is no other logical candidate, so I’m going to assume that they’re right.
Patrick Mahomes is the #SuperBowlLVIII MVP 🏆 pic.twitter.com/uKkYk9u2ni
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) February 12, 2024
The league is trying to push “the Chiefs as underdogs” narrative and “the Chiefs dynasty” narrative and, uh, you have to pick one!
Travis Kelce is up next and he … sings Viva Las Vegas? The camera cuts to a visibly embarrassed Taylor Swift several times.
Updated
Larry Csonka is here to hand the Vince Lombardi trophy to John Elway, who brings it to the stage.
I hate the fact that the owners get to touch the Lombardi trophy first. After a minute of corporate speak, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid gets it. He leads his team in yelling: “How about those Chiefs!”
Updated
I had to triple-check this account three times but this is real.
Just like we drew it up. pic.twitter.com/9NBvc5nVZE
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) February 12, 2024
We’re going to stick around a little here, at least until we get to hear who wins the MVP trophy. I have a feeling that it’ll be Patrick Mahomes with his 333 passing yards, 66 rushing yards right when his team needed them and his two touchdown passes.
Updated
The play of the game? Well, there are a lot of little things that the 49ers could have done better here. Their offense’s inability to capitalize on the fact that their defense kept the Chiefs off the board early on made a Kansas City comeback inevitable. They couldn’t either run out the clock or score a touchdown in their final drive of regulation, giving Kansas City a chance to tie it.
I still look back at that blocked extra point. If they hadn’t blocked Butker’s attempt, they would have had to score a touchdown on that final possession rather than settle for a game-tying touchdown. Maybe they convert that fourth down, maybe they don’t. We’ll never know.
It’s the little things, sometimes.
The Kansas City Chiefs have won Super Bowl LVIII
That’s back-to-back championships for the Chiefs, who have now won three since 2019! We can say it now: they are a dynasty.
And there is no such thing asthe Taylor Swift curse.
Updated
Touchdown! 49ers 22-25 Chiefs, FINAL. OT
1st and 10, Pacheco picks up 3 yards. 2nd and 7, Mahomes passes to Kelce who just picks up the first down. On the next play, Mahomes finds Hardman for a touchdown! That’s going to win it! The Kansas City Chiefs have won their second straight Super Bowl.
49ers 22-19 Chiefs, 2:07, OT
Pacheco finds another five yards. That’s 3rd and 1, Mahomes scrambles again and he picks up 19 yards to the San Francisco 13. They are looking to end this, not settle for tying it.
49ers 22-19 Chiefs, 2:48, OT
Mahomes finds Pacheco for a four-yard gain. It’s 2nd and 6 at the San Francisco 37. There’s a 49ers timeout.
49ers 22-19 Chiefs, 4:10, OT
On the next play, Valdes-Scantling gets taken for a three-yard loss. 2nd and 13, Mahomes trust Valdes-Scantling again. It’s a seven-yard pickup. 3rd and 6, Mahomes finds Rice who takes off for a 13-yard gain! They’re at the San Franisco 41.
49ers 22-19 Chiefs, 6:05, OT
You knew it wasn’t going to end there! Mahomes takes it in and easily finds a first down and more. Feels like a defensive breakdown by San Francisco there. They’re now at their own 42.
49ers 22-19 Chiefs, 6:05, OT
If this game never ends maybe I can put off job hunting. The Chiefs start at their own 25 after a touchback. Pacheco picks up three yards. 2nd and 7. Mahomes throws to Rice for a six-yard gain. It’s 3rd and 1, Pacheco gets stuffed.
The Chiefs call a timeout. My guess is that they will not punt since that will be a forfeit!
Updated
Field goal! 49ers 22-19 Chiefs, 7:22, OT
On 1st and 10, McCaffrey picks up six yards but on the next two plays, the 49ers can’t get any closer. They have to settle for a field goal and give Kansas City a chance to win it on the next drive.
Moody’s 27-yard field goal is good. Now the Chiefs have a possession to counter. Something tells me they will at least do so.
49ers 19-19 Chiefs, 9:25, OT
McCaffrey again. He gets eight yards and gets them to the Kansas City 18. Mitchell gets the ball now and he picks up four yards on 2nd and 2 and, oof, that’s a 10-yard penalty on San Francisco. Holding on Brayden Willis.
Purdy finds Juszczyk for a 13 -yard gain and a fresh set of down. They’re at the KC 15.
49ers 19-19 Chiefs, 10:35, OT
McCaffrey makes it to midfield on the next play. 2nd and 6, Purdy finds McCaffrey again and he does it again! He picks up 24 yards! They’re at the Chiefs 24. This feels like they’re already in field goal territory but they should need more.
49ers 19-19 Chiefs, 12:38, OT
McCaffrey picks up three yards. 2nd and 7. McCaffrey gets the ball on the next play too. 3rd and 2 and a huge play here. Purdy finds Aiyuk and he picks up 11 yards! That’s a first down and the 49ers are close to Chiefs territory!
Updated
Several readers have asked when the last time the Super Bowl went to overtime was.
This is only the second time a Super Bowl has been tied after regulation and forced an extra period. The first was Super Bowl LI in February 2017, when the New England Patriots rallied from 28-3 down in the third quarter to win 34-28 over the Atlanta Falcons. Oddly enough, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was on the sidelines that night as Atlanta’s offensive coordinator.
49ers 19-19 Chiefs, 14:05, OT
Now it’s 2nd and 15 and McCaffrey can only pick up two yards. 3rd and 13. Purdy’s throw falls out incomplete and there’s a holding penalty on Kansas City. That’s an automatic first down. 1st and 10 on their own 30.
Updated
49ers 19-19 Chiefs, 14:55, OT
The 49ers will have possession first. They will start at their own 25. Purdy’s first pass is almost intercepted, but it’s ruled incomplete. 2nd and 10. A false start penalty on Aiyuk. Make that 2nd and 15 back at their 20.
Updated
Email from Ellen Janisch Smith:
Hi Hunter,
What happens if there’s a tie at regulation time? And has this happened before in a Super Bowl?
Thanks!
There has been only one other Super Bowl to go to overtime ... Super Bowl LI (Patriots def. Falcons 34-28).
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) February 12, 2024
Memories.
We’re heading to overtime! Both teams will get a chance to hold the ball, unless the defense scores. That means that even if one team scores a touchdown the other can still counter. That’s to prevent the winner of the coin flip from having an advantage. Once both teams have possession, the next score wins.
I think I have that right.
Field goal! 49ers 19-19 Chiefs, end of regulation
On 1st and 10, the referees add a second to the clock. Mahomes can’t find Kelce. 2nd and 10, They’re going to go with a field goal. Butker’s 29-yarder is good and, as was inevitable since the missed extra point, this one’s heading to overtime.
49ers 19-16 Chiefs, :09, 4th quarter
Mahomes scrambles for a three-yard gain. 2nd and 7. Mahomes throws incomplete. 3rd and 7. On the next play, Mahomes throws to Kelce, who picks up 11 yards to the San Francisco 11. The 49ers take a timeout with an injury on the field.
49ers 19-16 Chiefs, :40, 4th quarter
Mahomes is working from the shotgun, which is carry. He throws to Kelce for nine yards, he scrambles for three. 1st and 10 at their own 37, Mahomes finds Gray for 12 yards. Another first down. Mahomes finds Watson for eight yards. 2nd and 2, Mahomes throws incomplete. 3rd and 2, Mahomes finds McKinnon who picks up seven yards for a first down. They’re at the San Francisco 36. Kansas City takes a timeout.
Updated
Email from Antony T:
Hi, just tuning into the blog as I’ve caught up with game live on DVR, having slept. Isn’t Vegas at like 2000 feet or something like that? Is the altitude helping these records or is the air not thin enough? I’m from the West Midlands (UK) and the local team West Brom had the highest ground in England (A dizzy 500 feet or so!) and always think this is why so many of their shots go over the bar.
This would be a great question to poise to Science Teacher Roommate if she were here, but also I have no idea. It is really something, that’s three field goals longer than 50 yards.
Field goal! 49ers 19-16 Chiefs, 1:53, 4th quarter
Of course, Purdy can’t convert at 3rd and 5, he throws incomplete to Jennings. He guarantees there’s going to be a lot of drama here, no matter what.
Moody’s 53-yard field goal is good! But there is so much time for the Chiefs.
Email from David Good:
The 49ers have too much time. They need to milk the clock, and they’ve not been good enough on offence to do that. Chiefs will get a shot at the win, regardless of how this drive ends.
This is correct. This third-down conversion will be huge for the 49ers – they can’t settle for a field goal and give Kansas City two minutes to score a touchdown to end the game.
Updated
49ers 16-16 Chiefs, 2:00, 4th quarter
1st and 10, McCaffrey with a five-yard gain. The 49ers are at the KC 35. Even if the Niners score here, the Chiefs will get the ball back and that’s a problem for San Francisco. On 2nd and 5, Purdy’s pass to Kittle is for no gain. 3rd and 5. We’re at the two-minute warning.
49ers 16-16 Chiefs, 4:11, 4th quarter
It’s 2nd and 1 and we have an injury timeout. It’s Kansas City end George Karlaftis, with a hand injury. On 2nd and 1, McCaffrey drives up the middle for a three-yard gain to the Kansas City 40.
49ers 16-16 Chiefs, 5:01, 4th quarter
The 49ers start at their own 25, another touchback. On his first play of the drive, Purdy throws deep to a leaping Jennings at their own 48. That’s a 23-yard gain. 1st and 10, Samuel picks up nine yards to get into Kansas City territory.
Updated
An Oasis correction:
Champagne Supernova, @HunterFelt, Champagne Supernova! Poor, Noel.
— John Allen 🦊 (@moist4life) February 12, 2024
True. In my defense, the reference doesn’t work if it’s not Wonderwall.
Updated
Emails from Keith:
Hi hi hi there!
Have the 49ers missed an XP in every Super Bowl that have played?
Cheers!
Followed by:
Ok, they have a at least one missed conversion in each of their six Super Bowls (failed two-pointer v Baltimore, missed XP in the other five). Carry on!
I love it when the readers do their own research for me. In any case, this could be the costliest one of them all! Stay tuned!
Field goal! 49ers 16-16 Chiefs, 5:46, 4th quarter
Pacheco runs up the middle for a one-yard gain. 2nd and goal. Mahomes … throws incomplete on the run. Feels like that would have been a good time for a rushing attempt. 3rd and goal, but I wonder if this is fourth-down territory?
Well now, it’s not. He’s taken down for a three-yard loss. Butker is in for a field goal and his 24-yard field goal is good. This game is tied. If you had money on this Super Bowl going to overtime, this might be your night.
Updated
49ers 16-13 Chiefs, 7:19, 4th quarter
Mahomes fumbles, recovers and throws incomplete. Could have been a disaster there, but instead Mahomes finds Justin Watson for a 25-yard gain! They’re at the San Francisco 21! The next play, Pacheco picks up nine yards. 2nd and 1, Pacheco picks up eight. They’re at the SF 4.
The rarest of Super Bowl doubles. San Francisco’s Jauan Jennings has become the second person in history to throw for and catch a touchdown in a Super Bowl after Nick Foles, who turned the trick with the Philly Special six years ago in Minneapolis.
49ers 16-13 Chiefs, 10:06, 4th quarter
2nd and 10, Mahomes can’t connect with Rice. 3rd and 10. Mahomes finds Kelce again, who is all alone, and the Chiefs have a new set of downs at the San Francisco 46.
49ers 16-13 Chiefs, 10:44, 4th quarter
Kansas City starts at their own 25. On the next play, Mahomes finds Kelce for a 16-yard gain. 1st and 10, Pacheco gets stuffed for no gain.
I am predicting now that this game is going to overtime solely because of that missed extra point. It’s the only possible way my very last liveblog could end.
Touchdown (and blocked extra point)! 49ers 16-13 Chiefs, 11:22, 4th quarter
McCaffrey picks up a single yard to take the 49ers to the KC 10. On the next play, Purdy finds Jennings who breaks a tackle to just get in the end zone! The 49ers are back up front thanks to a just-barely-there fourth-down conversion.
Butker’s extra point kick is … blocked! That means a field goal will still tie things up!
Updated
49ers 10-13 Chiefs, 12:12, 4th quarter
There’s a big play! Purdy finds a wide-open Aiyuk for a 20-yard gain that takes them to the Kansas City 22. He tries for the end zone on the next play but Chris Jones disrupts him and forces an overthrow. 2nd and 10, McCaffrey picks up eight yards. 3rd and 2. McCaffrey gets taken for a one-yard loss which probably puts a four-down decision much more difficult for the 49ers.
They roll the dice anyway, probably the right decision here given the opponent. Purdy finds Kittle who is… just short. No, no! He just picked up a first down! Whoa!
A number of readers have asked whether this is the lowest scoring Super Bowl ever.
For a while there it looked like it might be, but Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s touchdown near the end of the third quarter has lifted it out of history-making territory. Three other Super Bowls have ended with fewer combined points than what Kansas City and San Francisco have posted so far (23).
16 LA Rams (3) v New England (13), LIII
21 Washington (7) v Miami (14), VII
22 Minnesota (6) v Pittsburgh (16), IX
Updated
Anyway here’s “Wonderwall”…
@HunterFelt Neil Diamond has nothing on Noel Gallagher's "Slowly walking down the hall, faster than a cannonball".
— Michael Graham Yallop (@master_grundy) February 12, 2024
49ers 10-13 Chiefs, end of the 3rd quarter
On the next play, Purdy finds Jennings for a 17-yard gain to the 47. San Francisco needed that. On the next play, Purdy finds Samuel and nearly gets another first down. 2nd and 1 at the Kansas City 44.
Juszczyk picks up another two yards to the KC 42 and that will take us to the end of the 3rd quarter. The Niners offense is finally starting to get going, but will it end up being too late? We have 15 minutes to go in regulation!
Updated
49ers 10-13 Chiefs, 1:43, 3rd quarter
2nd and 10, McCaffrey picks up five yards. 3rd and 5 at their own 30. The 49ers take a timeout.
49ers 10-13 Chiefs, 2:23, 3rd quarter
49ers really need to score anything on this drive. Purdy’s throw to Aiyuk is incomplete and San Francisco offensive lineman Jon Feliciano is injured on the play. Luck and momentum are no longer on their side.
Touchdown! 49ers 10-13 Chiefs, 2:28, 3rd quarter
Mahomes throws to Marquez Valdes-Scantling in the end zone on the very next play. Butker’s extra point and just like that, the brutal special teams miscue immediately leads to a Kansas City lead!
Muffed punt! 49ers 10-6 Chiefs, 2:42, 3rd quarter
Pacheco picks up three yards. 2nd and 7. Mahomes finds Kelce for five yards. 3rd and 2, at their own 35. Mahomes’s throw is incomplete. That’s also a three-and-out, unless the Chiefs decide to go for it on fourth down here.
They don’t. The Chiefs manage to punt it and, oh no, Darrell Luter Jr muffs the catch and Watson recovers at the San Francisco 17. That’s absolutely the worst possible outcome for the 49ers.
Updated
49ers 10-6 Chiefs, 4:11, 3rd quarter
The 49ers almost blocked that field goal, too. This game looks like it’s coming down to the margins, not the high-scoring affair most of us assumed it would be. Butker’s kick is a touchback.
Deebo Samuel is back in the game, for the record. Not sure how exactly considering the severity of the injury, but this is the Super Bowl and the 49ers definitely need him here. McCaffrey gets the first carry of the drive and he’s taken down at the line of scrimmage. 2nd and 10, Purdy’s throw to Aiyuk is incomplete. 3rd and 10, Purdy throws incomplete to Samuel and that’s another three-and-out.
The Chiefs defense has stepped up in this second half and now Kansas City has a golden opportunity to take a lead. They will be at their own 27 after James catches Wishnowsky’s punt at the Kansas City 20 and takes it seven yards.
A Super Bowl record has fallen (again). Earlier tonight Jake Moody eclipsed Steve Christie’s 30-year-old mark for longest field goal with his 55-yard make. But the San Francisco rookie’s reign atop the leaderboard lasted less than two hours after Kansas City’s Harrison Butker just split the uprights with a line drive from 57 yards. The updated list:
57 Harrison Butker, Kansas City v San Francisco, tonight
55 Jake Moody, San Francisco v Kansas City, tonight
54 Steve Christie, Buffalo v Dallas, XXVIII
53 Greg Zuerlein, LA Rams v New England, LIII
52 Harrison Butker, Kansas City v Tampa Bay, LV
52 Ryan Succop, Tampa Bay v Kansas City, LV
A commercial featuring Neil Diamond singing I Am I Said which features the immortal lyrics: “And no one heard at all / Not even the chair”.
This has nothing to do with football, but it’s just funny picturing Neil Diamond getting upset at the fact that chairs lack the mechanism of hearing, being inanimate objects.
Updated
Field goal! 49ers 10-6 Chiefs, 5:01, 3rd quarter
Mahomes decided to do it himself again, running 22 yards to get to the 49ers 43. The next play, Pacheco picks up two yards. Mahomes throws incomplete on the next play. 3rd and 8 and what looks to be a huge potential stop for the Niners.
They manage to get it! Mahomes finds Hardman for just a two-yard gain after defensive pressure. The game pauses for a rare Super Bowl streaker who is just offscreen. The Chiefs decide to attempt a field goal, which will eclipse the earlier longest field goal attempt by Moody.
Townsend’s 57-yard field goal is good and easily! Wow! The Chiefs cut the 49ers’ lead down to four points.
49ers 10-3 Chiefs, 7:16, 3rd quarter
Mahomes finds Pacheco, who is getting a lot of carries here. He picks up three yards. They’re at their own 28. 2nd and 7. We get a Samuel update: it is indeed a hamstring injury and he’s listed as “questionable”. On the next play, Pacheco gets three yards. This time, Mahomes takes it himself and he pushes through defends to just pick up another first down at the Kansas City 35.
Updated
49ers 10-3 Chiefs, 9:02, 3rd quarter
Samuel left on the field on his own, but we’ll see if he’s able to return. Wishnowsky’s next punt pins the Chiefs at their 14. On the next play, Mahomes finds Kelce for a 11-yard gain and that’s finally a first down here in the third quarter.
This has not been a Super Bowl for the ages so far.
49ers 10-3 Chiefs, 9:15, 3rd quarter
Never mind, the starting position is not as good as Purdy gets harassed and after a pass to Jennings it’s an eight-yard loss. It’s 2nd and 18, Purdy finds McCaffrey for a seven-yard gain. 3rd and 11, Purdy’s pass to George Kittle is incompletion and, oof, Deebo Samuel leaves with what looks like a hamstring injury. A promising possession ends in disaster for San Francisco.
Updated
Email from Jack Chew:
Subject: How good is the Niners’ Aussie punter??
Just pointing out; Wishnowski has nailed two amazing punts that have pinned the Chiefs butts to their own goal line. Has been important in keeping Mahomes quiet.
Oh, absolutely. The Chiefs pretty much had no chance there after being stuck on their own 2. Now the 49ers have solid starting position on their next drive.
Updated
49ers 10-3 Chiefs, 10:53, 3rd quarter
On 3rd and 1, Pacheco gets pushed for no gain. The Chiefs can’t go for it here on their own 11 and Townsend is in to punt. McCloud catches at the San Francisco 36.
49ers 10-3 Chiefs, 11:46, 3rd quarter
Mahomes throws deep from his own end zone. 2nd & 10, Mahomes connects with Kelce for a nine-yard gain. 3rd and 1. The Chiefs take a timeout.
Beyoncé is in a commercial, because unlike Super Bowl half-time shows, advertisers are willing to shell out money to get superstars.
Updated
49ers 10-3 Chiefs, 12:39, 3rd quarter
Purdy’s first pass is incomplete. On the next play, a five-yard false start penalty puts them back five yards. On the next play, Purdy throws incomplete to Samuel. On 3rd and 15, Purdy scrambles for four yards and the Chiefs defense saves the Chiefs offense by forcing a three-and-out. They can’t even attempt a field goal here, so the 49ers punt. Wishnowsky’s punt pins the Chiefs at their own 2.
Interception! 49ers 10-3 Chiefs, 13:38, 3rd quarter
At the Kansas City 12, Mahomes throws deep and it’s interception by Ji’Ayir Brown at the Chiefs 44! Ooh my goodness what a disaster start to the second half for Kansas City.
49ers 10-3 Chiefs, 14:15, 3rd quarter
Mahomes almost fumbles away the opening possession but Pacheco saves it and it’s only a two-yard loss. Whew! It’s 2nd and 22, Mahomes finds tight end Noah Gray who picks up 10 yards.
Start of the second half
49ers 10-3 Chiefs, 15:00, 3rd quarter
Moody’s kick is a touchback and the second half begins!
Email from Thomas Burke:
Travis Kelce steaming in all mob handed on veteran head coach Andy Reid was a Gerald Ratner moment.
Will Kelce’s outburst be remembered as the Chiefs’ being on tilt or as a moment that inspired Kansas City to pull of a second half comeback? Only time will tell.
Updated
And we’re done here. I still wish they picked someone who brought a little bit more musical variety, but bringing the gang back together for Yeah! salvaged the show for me.
Now we can return to football talk.
Email from Oliver French:
Love how the non-football super bowl live blog has three authors and you’re alone covering the actual game. Keep up the good work and see you on draft night *Taylor swift heart hands*
Surely the Chiefs have to do a better job making halftime adjustments against a competent pass rush than they did against the Bucs? But on behalf of my friends and the Denver Broncos I’ll be hoping not.
I suspect that the Chiefs adjust and tie this up quickly in the third quarter and we’ll see.
I hope you do return for the Guardian’s NFL draft coverage even though I’ll be gone. I can tell you that I will not miss all the pre-draft homework I used to have to do!
Updated
Email from Peter Oh:
Hi Hunter,
As far as overall entertainment value goes, this has been Purdy good so far.
It’s better now. Here’s Ludacris reminding us that his verse on Yeah! is one of the greatest features in R&B history. This is just a highpoint in 00s pop.
Updated
Lil’ Jon is here to save the day. “Turn Down For What” segues right into “Yeah!”
OK, this officially rules now.
Alicia Keys is here and she’s playing a bright red piano that looks like a leftover prop from 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Is she not at least as equally famous as Usher? I’m very confused, to be honest.
Usher’s half-time show
He comes out in a bright white suit, like he’s R&B’s Tom Wolfe.
“They said I wouldn’t be here today.”
To be fair, I did because I thought they would get someone with significantly more clout here in 2024 but that’s what happens when you expect performers to show up for free.
Updated
Email from Justin Kavanagh
In years to come, the sports part of pub quizzes will include this head scratcher: How did SF defensive lineman Dre Greenlaw suffer a non-contact injury on the sidelines of Super Bowl LVIII? Did he…
a/ Trip up over a pom-pom left around carelessly by a cheerleader?
b/ Step into a giant Gatorade-filled bucket prepared for the winning coach’s live TV interview, almost drowning?
c/Tear a calf muscle when his shoe became stuck on some discarded gum—at sprint speed?
d/Get distracted by Taylor Swift while stretching his glutes… and then couldn’t Shake it Off?
It’s a brutal, freak injury as it happened on the sidelines and not in the game. A bad update, it’s an Achilles injury so he will obviously not be returning to this game (or football for a very long time).
Email from Beau Dure:
Good evening, Hunter. So ... we were all expecting a punter’s duel in this game, right?
It’s been a low-scoring game in this first half but I strongly believe that the Chiefs will adjust in the second half. Keep in mind because they deferred at the start of the game, they will have the ball start the second half and that’s a golden opportunity to change the game’s momentum.
With Usher’s half-time show about to start, this is a perfect time to remind everybody that our Everything But the Game blog will be covering it in greater detail that we will! I will not be offended if you would prefer to switch over until the football game resumes.
Updated
Half-time thoughts
The match's traffic at the line of scrimmage reminds me of trying to get from one end of Fremont Street to the other @HunterFelt.
— Gary Naylor 85 (@garynaylor85) February 12, 2024
Then the 49ers pull out a 'Diamonds Are Forever' move - the equivalent of tipping the car on to two wheels.
That trick play by the 49ers that resulted in the game’s sole touchdown was certainly the impact play of the first half. Should the 49ers hang on here, that will certainly be the play of the game.
However, the Detroit Lions could tell you that a lot can happen in a second half and a one-touchdown lead on a Patrick Mahomes-led offense is normally as good as a tie.
Updated
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49ers 10-3 Chiefs, end of the first half
The 49ers have 20 seconds to work with here before halftime. Butker’s kick is a touchback. On the next play, McCaffrey picks up six yards and the 49ers decide to just let the clock run out.
Updated
Email from David Good:
Hi Hunter,
Hope you’re having a fun Super Bowl. Obviously, it’s early in the game, but if KC don’t score a TD in this game, they’d be the only team to not score a TD in the Super Bowl twice. The previous time was also with Andy Reid and Mahomes (and also had some drinks related mishaps in the build-up), their loss to Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay.
Cheers,
David
This is not going to happen but it’s a testament to San Francisco’s defense here that they’ve kept Mahomes from the end zone.
Field goal! 49ers 10-3 Chiefs, 0:20, 2nd quarter
The TV people lied to me about the time. It’s really 1:09 left on the clock not 1:03. Oh wait, I guess the refs added six seconds. Whatever: the point is that it’s not my fault. On the next play, Mahomes finds Rice for a three-yard gain. They’re at the San Francisco 11. Rice picks up two yards. 3rd and 5. Oof, there’s another big play from San Francisco: Mahomes gets sacked by Arik Armstead for a yard. It’s 4th and 6. The 49ers take a timeout.
Harrison Bukner is out for a field goal attempt. The 28-yarder is good. The 49ers keep the Chiefs out of the end zone, but Kansas City is at least on the board.
49ers 10-0 Chiefs, 1:09, 2nd quarter
Rice picks up six yards. That’s good for a first down. Mahomes finds Rice again, who gets to the San Francisco 14. With a fresh set of downs in the red zone, the Chiefs will take a timeout.
Updated
49ers 10-0 Chiefs, 1:40, 2nd quarter
On 3rd and 4, there’s a false start penalty on Hardman, which turns it into 3rd and 9. Mahomes however finds Justin Watson for a 21-yard gain. There’s also a defensive holding penalty on San Francisco’s Warner, but they’ll decline that obviously.
1st and 10 at the San Francisco 49. Watson drops Mahomes’ throw. That’s incomplete. 2nd and 10. Mahomes throws to Pacheco, who picks up eight yards. 3rd and 2 on the San Francisco 39.
Updated
Email from Jenifer Divine:
Although i might be a bit optimistic on the points, I’m certainly pleased by the 49ers defense, they’re really throwing the Chiefs off their rhythm ...
They’ve been the MVPs so far, let’s see if they can keep the Chiefs off the board before half-time!
Updated
49ers 10-0 Chiefs, 2:00, 2nd quarter
Clyde Edwards-Helaire is stuffed for no gain by Nick Bosa for no gain. They let the clock run down to the two-minute warning.
49ers 10-0 Chiefs, 3:10, 2nd quarter
Somebody just made a lot of money on Jennings throwing for the first touchdown of the Super Bowl. Chiefs really need to score something here just for momentum reasons because the 49ers’ running game can really eat up the clock if they get separation.
Pacheco gets the ball again at the Chiefs’ 25 after a touchback. He picks up eight yards. 2nd and 2, Pacheco picks up six yards for a first down. 1st and 10, Mahomes finds Pacheco once again, another six-yard gain.
Updated
Touchdown! 49ers 10-0 Chiefs, 4:23, 2nd quarter
Purdy throws incomplete, but Sneed stuffs Samuel for no gain. He’s trying to make up for his penalty. 2nd and 10, Purdy gets the ball to receiver Jauan Jennings who finds McCaffrey under pressure. McCaffrey’s wide open and runs in for a touchdown. Moody’s extra point is good! There’s your trick play and there’s your first touchdown of the Super Bowl!
PURDY TO JENNINGS TO CMC FOR SIX 🔥
— NFL (@NFL) February 12, 2024
📺: #SBLVIII on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/dClcEDViWl pic.twitter.com/ktiTXIiHzS
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49ers 3-0 Chiefs, 4:34, 2nd quarter
1st and 10. Elijah Mitchell gets his first carry of the game and it’s a good one. He manages seven yards. 2nd and 3 at the Chiefs’ 37. On the next play, there’s a flag on the play that gives San Francisco a fresh set of downs. Sneed gets called for unnecessary roughness. It’s the right call and puts the 49ers at the Chiefs’ 21.
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49ers 3-0 Chiefs, 6:22, 2nd quarter
Purdy gets nothing on first down, but on 2nd and 10 Purdy finds Samuel for a 12-yard gain. That’s a first down. McCaffrey gets six yards on his first carry and gets a first down on his next carry. 49ers already at the Chiefs’ 44.
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49ers 3-0 Chiefs, 7:49, 2nd quarter
It’s a three-and-out for the Chiefs after a 10-yard penalty on Mahomes for intentional grounding puts them in a hole! Townsend’s punt will put the 49ers at their own 33. Not bad starting position for them.
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Email from Ben Y:
Hey hunter,
Usually on these MBMs for football, rugby, cricket or pretty much anything we get the line ups and subs benches.
Any reason this doesn’t happen for American football? Any chance you could post them?
It doesn’t happen because there are a lot of players on both sides and substitutions are rather frequent and the action goes by very fast!
We do try to keep track of injuries and we have a bad one here, as San Francisco defensive lineman Dre Greenlaw suffered a non-contact injury on the side while getting ready to go in. He’s carted off with an achilles injury and is questionable to return.
Dre Greenlaw appeared to injure himself jogging back onto the field pic.twitter.com/p3nwmTUsfO
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) February 12, 2024
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49ers 3-0 Chiefs, 9:26, 2nd quarter
McCaffrey gets stuffed for no gain on 2nd & 9. On the next play, Purdy gets sacked for four yards so the 49ers are going to punt. Richie James muffs the catch at the Kansas City 20 but recovers, so that’s where they will start.
49ers 3-0 Chiefs, 11:36, 2nd quarter
Purdy scambles on the first play and picks up nine yards but it’s a horse collar tackle on Nick Bolton so that’s a 15-yard penalty on Kansas City. 49ers at their own 32 with a fresh set of downs. On the next play, Samuel picks up a single yard.
A Super Bowl record has fallen. San Francisco rookie kicker Jake Moody’s 55-yard field goal to open tonight’s scoring is the longest in the game’s nearly six-decade history. The other longest efforts:
54 Steve Christie, Buffalo v Dallas, XXVIII
53 Greg Zuerlein, LA Rams v New England, LIII
52 Harrison Butker, Kansas City v Tampa Bay, LV
52 Ryan Succop, Tampa Bay v Kansas City, LV
Email from Jenifer Divine:
Hi Hunter,
6th gen SF Bay Area native & lifelong 49ers fan, i think the Niners take this going away, 27-10.
That will require a bit more scoring than we’ve had so far in this first half but if any two teams are capable of that, it’s these two.
Fumble! 49ers 3-0 Chiefs, 11:59, 2nd quarter
Rice picks up four yards, the ball comes out but it’s recovered my Kansas City. That allows Mahomes to throw deep to Mecole Hardman for a 53-yard gain! They are at the San Francisco 9!
They are at San Francisco’s doorstep … and Pacheco fumbles! Oh my stars! Javon Hargrave will the recovery that prevents an almost certain touchdown! The 49ers will start at their own eight-yard line!
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49ers 3-0 Chiefs, 14:15, 2nd quarter
Jake “Not Jack, Hunter” Moody’s kick is a touchback. The Chiefs will start at their 25. Mahomes’s pass to Pacheco is good for a seven-yard gain. 2nd and 3, it’s Pacheco again. He picks up two yards. It’s 3rd and 1 at their own 34.
Field goal! 49ers 3-0 Chiefs, 14:38, 2nd quarter
Another wasted opportunity for San Francisco, Purdy throws to Samuel in the end zone, but Trent McDuffie knocks the pass away preventing a sure touchdown. This is a 55-yard field goal attempt for Jake Moody, not an automatic kicker.
He makes it! That’s a Super Bowl record for longest made field goal. Who would have had that being the first score of the game? The 49ers take an early lead.
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Email from Geoff Wignall
Hello Hunter
That fumble notwithstanding, the 49ers seem to have got their run game up and running nice and early. Must be a good ploy against a blitz heavy defence like the Chiefs.
49ers are absolutely outplaying the Chiefs on both sides of the ball, but a few costly mistakes have meant that this is still a nil-nil game. This is not usually a good sign when a team doesn’t take advantage of early opportunities and convert them into points.
I could be wrong though.
49ers 0-0 Chiefs, end of the 1st quarter
Another big gain, Purdy to Ray-Ray McCloud: a 19-yard gain. The 49ers are in Kansas City territory. Purdy throws to the end zone on the next play but it’s way too high. 2nd and 10, McCaffrey gets the ball but it’s for a loss, Felix Anudike-Uzomah takes him down for four yards to the Kansas City 37. We’re scoreless after a single quarter!
49ers 0-0 Chiefs, 1:51. 1st quarter
Purdy finds McCaffrey for a yard, then throws incomplete to Samuel. On 3rd and 9, however, Purdy finds Chris Conley for an 18-yard gain! That’s definitely a first down and they’re nearly at midfield!
49ers 0-0 Chiefs, 4:36, 1st quarter
McCaffery picks up seven yards on first down. Well, there’s a five-yard defensive offside call here, so it’s now 1st and 5 at the San Francisco 22, McCaffrey picks up three yards. On 2nd and 2, McCaffrey picks up four for another first down. 49ers are at their 29.
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Timely email from William Preston:
Hey Hunter!
I’m not at all convinced by the KC offence, here (or is it offense?). The 49ers looked like they were getting a proper stomp on over them. To prevail, they’re going to need some thrilling heroics out of the QB, and avoid those short passes.
Why is Paul Rudd?
Have a great one!
True, although credit must be given to the 49ers’ defense here as well.
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49ers 0-0 Chiefs, 3:53, 1st quarter
Pacheco picks up 10 yards here. On the next play, Chase Young chases down Mahomes for a four-yard loss. 2nd and 14 at their own 17. Mahomes finds Rashee Rice, who is taken down by Fred Warner for no gain. On 3rd and 14, Mahomes has to scramble and only picks up four yards. What a sequence by the 49ers defense!
Townsend’s next punt pins the 49ers at their 17.
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Email from Justin Kavanagh:
Watching all the build-up, the fireworks, and the razzmatazz in Vegas tonight, I can’t help but picture a sullen-faced Roy Keane at home on his couch watching on and silently…FUMING. For American
handballfootball exclusivists, Keane is the soccer player that Roy Kent is based on in the Ted Lasso series, a man who believes trophies should be presented to the winning captain in the dressing room. In private. Well after the game. How Roy must hate the Super Bowl!
It’s basically a hugely commercial enterprise, with a football game tacked on. I mean, a literal commercial enterprise: it’s the world biggest day in the advertisement world.
49ers 0-0 Chiefs, 6:39, 1st quarter
Mitch Wishnowsky is on to punt. There’s another false start penalty that pushes them back five yards. Not great for San Francisco. Richie James catches the deep punt and takes it five yards to the Chiefs’ own 11.
49ers 0-0 Chiefs, 6:42, 1st quarter
2nd and 17. Purdy passes to George Kittle for a first down gain! Except there’s a holding penalty, that’s back-to-back penalties on Williams who gets called by holding. That’s a 10-yard penalty. It’s now 2nd and 27. Purdy passes to McCaffrey, for an eight-yard gain. 3rd and 19. What a promising drive this could have been if not for Williams two penalties.
Purdy finds Samuel and that’s only 12 yards. 49ers will have to punt.
49ers 0-0 Chiefs, 8:59, 1st quarter
Purdy finds Brandon Aiyuk for an 18-yard gain. They’re at the San Francisco 49.
On the next play, Deebo Samuel gets taken for a two-yard loss. 2nd & 12. Then they get knocked by a false start penalty on Trent Williams. That’s a five-yard penalty.
Email from Joe Pearson:
Zardoz?
Wow! That is a deep cut.
Since this is my last day, I’m allowing myself a few references just for me.
49ers 0-0 Chiefs, 10:16, 1st quarter
McCaffrey has only fumbled twice all season. What a horrific time for a third! On the first carry, Isiah Pacheco gets taken for a three-yard loss. On 2nd & 13, Patrick Mahomes finds Travis Kelce but he can only pick up a single yard. 3rd & 12, Mahomes finds McKinnon for eight yards which is not enough here after that opening sack. Tommy Townsend punts, which is caught by Ray-Ray McCloud at the San Francisco 24. Good job by San Francisco’s defense to make sure that the opening fumble didn’t hurt them.
Updated
Fumble! 49ers 0-0 Chiefs, 12:15, 1st quarter
Brock Purdy finds McCaffrey for 11 yards and another first down. They’re at the Kansas City 40. Another play, another McCaffrey first down. They’re already up to the Kansas City 29.
On the next play, McCaffrey fumbles and it’s recovered by Kansas City’s George Karlaftis. San Francisco fumbles away a golden scoring opportunity on the first drive of the game! Chiefs will have the ball at their own 27.
49ers 0-0 Chiefs, 14:24, 1st quarter
The 49ers start at their own 25. McCaffrey picks up six yards, On 2nd & 4, fullback Kyle Juszczyk picks up 18 yards to get to their own 49.
Opening kickoff
49ers 0-0 Chiefs, 15:00, 1st quarter
The opening voice announcing the Vince Lombardi trophy is entirely too loud and booming, it sounds like the stone head from Zardoz.
Harrison Butker’s opening kick goes into the end zone for a touchback. For one last time this season, we’re ready for some football!
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Coin toss
It’s time for every better’s favorite part of the game: the coin toss! It’s heads, the Chiefs win and they choose to defer. Always the right decision! The 49ers will have the ball first. We’re about to get started!
Reba McEntire sings the national anthem
Here we are. I usually like country artists performing the anthem, not because I’m a massive country fan but because they tend not to oversing too much. I’m a fan of subtlety and McEntire does a very nice job, only really letting her voice go long on “free” and “brave”. Of course, she hits “brave” twice which feels a bit showboat-y. Otherwise a very nice rendition. 7/10.
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Literally, everybody is excited for the Super Bowl.
Will stay up all night to see
— Michael Caine (@themichaelcaine) February 11, 2024
Super Bowl
Oh no, is this Post Malone doing America the Beautiful? Can we fast-forward to Reba McEntire doing the national anthem?
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Email from Shaun Coward:
Hi Hunter,
Longtime 49ers fan here, coming up on 40 years so not my first time watching the 49ers in the big one. What feels weird this time is just how many media commentators are picking a close game but are also certain of a Chiefs win, because Mahomes. This is the ultimate team game and it’s the best team that will win, not the best quarterback. Obviously you can never count out Mahomes’ influence and ability but I think the 49ers have the talent to make this an ugly night for the Chiefs, just like we did for the Cowboys and the Eagle during the regular season - but only if our defense turns up. It will come down to turnovers and giving the ball to CMC. I’m nervous but also optimistic! Bold prediction: 49ers win and DEEBO for MVP with three touchdowns!
Cheers,
Shaun
I’ll give this prediction: if Deebo scores three touchdowns, San Francisco will win and he will definitely be MVP.
The 49ers and the Chiefs have both taken to the field! We’re getting closer and closer to actual football here! Will the Chiefs win back-to-back titles or will the 49ers win their first Super Bowl since the 1994 NFL season?
More emails:
Alright, you’ve been sending me a lot of emails. I appreciate them all and I’ve done my best to try to get to most of them during the pregame here.
From Desmond Barry:
Hello Hunter,
I’m from Wales. I turned onto American Football in the 80s when I moved to San Francisco. Got my first writing break there 1988 National Poetry Week Life on the Water Theatre. Worked at UCSF hospital during the Earthquake so I saw Joe Montana live when games moved to Stanford. A year or so later I saw Steve Young live when I moved across to Massachusetts. Both games were against the Patriots that the 9ers won. I’m nervous about today but I’m trusting to unpredictable circumstances to bring the 9ers the win today. Visions of Deebo.
Cheers,
Des Barry
Email from Damian Durrant:
Hi Hunter, the Gunners 6.0 shellacking of West Ham clearly foreshadows a 49ers win, because I am Gooner expat 49ers fan who has lived in the Bay for 12 years. That’s about a rational a basis for a prediction as any, all the money ball stats and Vegas bookmaker odds be darned. Anything can happen on big bowl day.
Regards,
Damian Durrant
The Taylor Swift Backlash?
Email from Michael Thomas:
Please, for the love of god, can we have some sort of Taylor Swift-less version of the match thread? Like, one with all the updates AND the TS stuff, and one with just the ones about the match?
I have nothing against her, but this is getting absurd.
Are you suggesting Super Bowl Thread (Non-Taylor’s Version)? My answer to this is that the Super Bowl, even in a regular year, is only 50% about the football itself in a regular year. However, you are not alone in being a little Taylor’d out, according to Tom Lutz at Allegiant Stadium:
The in stadium commentary team just asked for cheers from the crowd. It was much louder for the Chiefs, although quite a lot of that noise appeared to be boos. The fightback against Taylor Swift’s psy-ops operation has begun!
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On the field, Pittsburgh Steelers’ Cam Heyward has just won the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.
Here’s further pregame reading for everyone. Resident NFL expert Oliver Connolly recently came up with his predictions on what would determine the outcome of this Super Bowl. He also predicts a trick play:
Once derided as gimmicks, trick plays are now an essential part of postseason game-planning. Fun fact: Reid even dedicates one member of his staff to trawl through high school, international tape, and social media to find the whackiest most imaginative designs, including a film-sharing program with a space-age offense from Japan.
Given their concerns on offense, the Chiefs seem ripe to uncork something wonky on Sunday.
While the Super Bowl is the biggest sporting event of the year here in the States, it also does double-duty as the biggest television event of the year. That means plenty of non-sports fans around the world watch just for the commercials, the halftime show and the fact that it’s the last remnants of pre-internet monoculture.
As an example, take this email from Paul Griffin:
I don’t follow this closely, but I enjoy the razzmatazz, and the athleticism. My prediction: the Chiefs by a few. And I’m expecting they’ll score at least three home runs.
With that in mind, the Guardian has a second liveblog up concurrent to this one just keeping track of all the non-football things going on. We’ll remind you of this when it’s time for Usher’s halftime show. (Which is good because my knowledge of Usher doesn’t go much beyond “Yeah!”)
Tom Lutz on the scene:
Some good news for the Chiefs: Running back Jerick McKinnon and wide receiver Skyy Moore are active for KC for the first time since December – both played crucial roles in their team’s win over the Eagles in last year’s Super Bowl, even if they weren’t great before getting injured earlier this season. Another receiver who hasn’t distinguished himself this season for the Chiefs, Kadarius Toney, is inactive for today’s game. For the Niners, defensive linemen TY McGill and Alex Barrett, linebacker Jalen Graham, wide receiver Ronnie Bell, cornerback Samuel Womack III and offensive lineman Matt Pryor are all inactive.
More predictions!
Email from Tanya Cotter:
Chiefs and the 49ers go 49ers I believe it is an awesome comeback. I would love to see them win just because I am from Santa Cruz area.
Email from Rowan Sweeney:
San Francisco come in with the momentum of the (*chokes back, salty, blue, lion-shaped tears*) 27-0 run. Whereas the Chiefs kind of fell over an imploding Ravens team. But then Mahomes gonna Mahomes, and Kelce gonna Kelce? I don’t know ... 49ers by a 2 point conversion.
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Email from Richard Hirst:
Hi Hunter
Given many of my family live in St Louis, and there is no longer a team there, I ought to support Kansas City as the Missouri representatives, but I always liked the Joe Montana 49ers, so I’ll go with them. And of course I have a fallback position if the Chiefs are on top!
These emails are coming in fast and furious, which is great because it means less work trying to fill in these hours before the game itself starts. The pregame crew has reached the point where they’ve started to make their predictions! Several of them have mentioned Kansas City having the edge with kicker Harrison Butker. You know it’s a close matchup when experts have decided that the difference will be the placekicker.
Email from Charles Lee:
Super Bowl!!!
Cowboys aren’t in it, how can you call it Super Bowl?
When I was growing up, the Dallas Cowboys were pretty much always in the Super Bowl (with the Buffalo Bills often acting as their Washington Generals). These days, they tend to bow out much earlier in the NFL postseason. In my last regular column for the Guardian, I wrote about their woes in the 21st century.
Tom Lutz at Allegiant Stadium:
The players are out on the field for warmups. It’s remarkable enough to see how easily Mahomes and Purdy hurl it 40 yards right into the hands of a receiver when there’s no pressure on them. It’s even more remarkable to see someone else do it – and realise it’s one of the coaches.
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Longtime email contributor Roger Kirkby:
Hi Hunter, I’ve followed and contributed to your live blogs and it has been a pleasure. Don’t have a good NFL clip to share with you, but this is my all time favourite baseball story. There’s plenty of time for you to share it, if that’s not sacrilege on Super Bowl Sunday.
Enjoy.
Since I won’t have another time to talk baseball here, I’ve taken the liberty of linking it to this. Thanks so much for providing me with emails over the years, Roger, especially during the times when I’ve been pretty much alone here (today is not going to be one of those days). I’ll miss your wealth of knowledge!
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We’re a little over an hour away from kick-off, but the Guardian has produced a lot of pregame reading for all of you to take up your time from now and then.
Here, for instance, is Graham Searles’s profile on Chiefs defensive back L’Jarius Sneed, who could be a key for Kansas City slowing down this Niners offense.
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My faithful editor Tom Lutz is in Las Vegas to provide on-the-field updates! Here’s his first.
Hello from Vegas where it’s a beautiful sunny day. I guess that’s the advantage of holding a Super Bowl in the desert (not that it matters when the stadium has a roof). Allegiant is about a quarter full with an hour or so to go to kick-off. It’s hard to tell which fans are in the majority when both teams play in red. But from closer observation in the days leading up to the game, I’d say the Chiefs have slightly more support on the ground (plenty of Steelers jerseys too, I guess they bought their tickets when Mason Rudolph got hot).
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More predictions!
Email from Charlie Bird:
I am looking forward to which totally unexpected plays are going to be unveiled in the game tonight.
Both head coaches being who they are they will have things up their sleeves for just this occasion.
The likes of Kyle Juszczyk and Clyde Edwards-Helaire making big catches out of the backfield are always fun.
I would love an onside kick to start the second half, like the one the New Orleans Saints used to ambush the Indianapolis Colts
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Email from Joe Pearson:
MVP might end up being CMC, but you can get 20-1 on Deebo. Just saying.
Do-it-all 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel is also a prime candidate for MVP although it’s time for a parting confession as I wrap up my time here: I have never once bet on a sporting event and if you’ve been keeping track of my predictions over the years, you’ll know that I have made the correct decision!
Email from Mark Moran:
Hi Hunter,
I’m going to go against your writers on this one and predict that the Niners squeak this one by a field goal. I think a stellar performance from Christian McCaffrey, the quality of the ever-underrated Brandon Aiyuk and the versatile Deebo Samuel, and a relatively efficient and error-free display from Brock Purdy should be enough; it’s difficult to bet against Mahomes and Reid, though.
I think the Chiefs’ over-reliance on Travis Kelce may come back to bite them. With Kadarius Toney out (arguably an advantage for Kansas), perhaps a display of quality from MVS could help to turn the tide and take some pressure off KC’s star tight end and rookie receiver Rashee Rice? KC has the advantage at OL and in the secondary, but I think the star quality of Trent Williams and Nick Bosa give SF the advantage outside of the skill positions. L’Jarius Sneed and Creed Humphrey may have something to say about that, however.
As a Panthers fan, I would love to see CMC and 49ers DC Steve Wilks, two guys who gave so much to our organisation, win a ring. Either way, let’s hope for a tight, high-scoring game. 24-21 San Francisco.
Enjoy the game!
Someone else agrees with my prediction! I’m always a fan of this!
And yes bad news for Toney, the inconsistent Chiefs receiver is not expected to play in the Super Bowl. Toney has had just a single touchdown on the season and has been prone to make mistakes all season long, including an offside penalty against the Buffalo Bills that took a touchdown off the board.
Super Bowl quiz
Looking for a way to pass the time before the Super Bowl starts? Why don’t you take your chances at filling out Bryan Armen Graham’s Super Bowl quiz!
I, uh, got a mere 12/20 despite covering Super Bowls being my literal job for nearly a decade. Perhaps it is very much time to move on!
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Taylor Swift arrives at Allegiant Stadium
Taylor Swift is in the building. The pop star has arrived at Allegiant Stadium after wrapping up the last of four shows in Japan on Saturday night, hopping on a private plane at Haneda airport for a flight across nine time zones and the international date line, then making the quick trip from Los Angeles after landing on Saturday afternoon.
Here she is introducing Ice Spice to Jason Kelce, one of many outcomes we couldn’t have imagined back in September.
Taylor Swift introduces Jason Kelce to Ice Spice before #SBLVIII. pic.twitter.com/mjQB3NeNZS
— Bryan Armen Graham (@BryanAGraham) February 11, 2024
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@HunterFelt evening Hunter
— Stuie Neale (@MrNeale92) February 11, 2024
Chiefs by 10 I reckon
Mahomes is too good
I feel as if I’ve been proven wrong for picking against Patrick Mahomes pretty much every single time I’ve done so, so this very well could be right.
I will say this: should San Francisco win, expect running back Christian McCaffrey to win MVP.
Predictions
Cool. Good luck to you! I'm sure whatever it is, you'll knock it out the park.
— Owen Ravenscroft (@Dakotadc47) February 11, 2024
Cheifs or 49ers tonight? I'd love Shanahan/McCaffrey to win (being a Broncos fan), but Mahomes and Reid are Mahomes and Reid.
It feels like everybody is picking the Chiefs! It feels weird to me because I genuinely believe San Francisco is clearly the better team and has a slight edge assuming that Brock Purdy doesn’t have one of the Bad Brock Purdy Games.
Now, that’s quite the possibility! I just think that the Chiefs have been relying too much on Mahomes and that if he just has a human game, the Niners can take advantage of that.
It will be a close game. I’m predicting the 49ers squeak by on a field goal, maybe 49ers 31-28 Chiefs? Feel free to offer your own prediction, either via email (to hunter.felt.freelance@theguardian.com) or X (@HunterFelt).
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The only thing harder than winning the Lombardi trophy is defending it. Only eight teams have managed to win back-to-back Super Bowls and three of those repeats happened in the first decade of the game’s existence.
Green Bay Packers (1966-67); defeated Kansas City and Oakland
Miami Dolphins (1972-73); defeated Washington and Minnesota
Pittsburgh Steelers (1974-75); defeated Minnesota and Dallas
Pittsburgh Steelers (1978-79); defeated Dallas and the LA Rams
San Francisco 49ers (1988-89); defeated Cincinnati and Denver
Dallas Cowboys (1992-93); defeated Buffalo and Buffalo
Denver Broncos (1997-98); defeated Green Bay and Atlanta
New England Patriots (2003-04); defeated Carolina and Philadelphia
Not only can Kansas City join this elite class by defeating San Francisco tonight, but the Chiefs could become the first ever repeat champions to win both games as underdogs. Each of the previous eight teams to do the double were betting favorites in one or both games.
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Hello I must be going
One thing I’ve learned in the last 12-plus years I’ve been covering sports is that it’s better to leave a year too early than a year too late. In that spirit, I must announce that today is my last day writing for the Guardian US.
It’s a decision I didn’t make lightly! This has been the most fun job a person could possibly have, particularly when writing these liveblogs. You have been an amazing audience. It, however, was time for me to find something new. I’m not sure what that will be yet, but I didn’t want to stick around for too long when it started just being a Thing I Did For Money. It’s time for fresh blood here, I know for a fact that whoever will be replacing me will be doing an amazing job. I will still be reading for certain!
I don’t want to make this all about me; these blogs are about the game. I just wanted to make that clear upfront. I’ll save my final goodbyes until the end. We have many, many hours together before then. I’ll cherish them all.
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Preamble
Hello all, welcome to the conclusion of the NFL season. If this feels like a familiar matchup, it’s because we were here before! It was over four years ago when the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 31-20 back in 2020. I remember it like it was yesterday but only because I also remember yesterday very poorly!
This 49ers were probably the most complete team in football all season long. While the Chiefs have the edge at quarterback, Brock Purdy has a better set of offensive weapons. Even when they fell behind early to the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship Game, they were able to put together a perfect second half to mount an impressive comeback. They can’t afford to fall behind that early to the Chiefs, but one suspects that they know it.
However, the Chiefs have Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes is the most important player in the league for a reason and he’s proved it in what may well be his most impressive season to date. The Chiefs have had a depleted receiver core meaning that he’s had to do more heavy lifting than in seasons past. It’s a load he’s proven more than capable of lifting. Plus, he still has Travis Kelce at tight end who must be feeling pretty invincible now that he has the Most Famous Pop Star on the Planet rooting for him.
So, it’s the best team v the best quarterback in the year’s biggest game. That sounds like it will be fun to me. For one final time, you can contribute to our live coverage of this NFL season. If you have email, and you probably do since it’s 2024, you can send your thoughts to hunter.felt.freelance@theguardian.com. If you’re still on Twitter or X or whatever Elon wants to call it, you can shoot them off to @HunterFelt. We’ll publish them throughout today’s coverage.
It’s Super Bowl LVIII featuring the San Francisco 49ers v the Kansas City Chiefs at Nevada’s Allegiant Stadium! The game is scheduled to start at 6.30pm ET, but this is the Super Bowl! It’s not going to start on time! We will continue to provide updates before then as we can get you up to speed until the start of the Big Game.
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It’s two and a half hours until kick-off and Allegiant Stadium is already filling up.
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Hunter will be with you shortly, in the meantime here are our writers’ predictions for today’s game (49ers fans may want to stop reading here):
49ers 24-27 Chiefs. This is one of those heart-mind picks. The Niners are a better all-around team. The Chiefs have an exceptional defense, but few answers to the specific strain the Niners’ offense puts on opponents. But they also have the most talented player walking the Earth at the game’s most valuable position. This is a Mahomes pick. The Chiefs shouldn’t be here; they’re a flawed team, with the worst offensive group Mahomes has worked during his career. But he’s still Mahomes – and it’s tough to pick against the quarterback continuing his dynastic run. Oliver Connolly
49ers 24-30 Chiefs. Purdy plays well, but the Chiefs D gets the better of him in the end. Andrew Lawrence
49ers 14-31 Chiefs. It would be fun to see the Niners win, just because they haven’t claimed a title this century/millennium while the Chiefs are already a modern dynasty. But this won’t be close: the Niners were lucky to get past the Packers and would have lost to the Lions if it wasn’t for a few doses of fortune. In both games, the defense was unimpressive and the result turned on plays that could have gone either way. The Ravens wiped the floor with San Francisco over Christmas, and the Chiefs will do the same on Sunday. Tom Lutz
49ers 33-28 Chiefs. Heart or head? Well, ego trumps both. The 49ers were my preseason darlings and you just have to stick, don’t you. (I also have to try to claw back credibility for suggesting the Ravens would miss the playoffs.) Shanahan is going to cook up something truly special to get his first ring. Next year’s trilogy fight is going to be spicy. Graham Searles
You can read our full rundown of predictions for the game, from the MVP to how each team can win, here:
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