Super Bowl LVIII Preview: Kansas City Chiefs (2-11-24)
By: Lamonte Thomas
Headline Photo Credit: Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Many touchdowns and four years ago, the Kansas City Chiefs found themselves defeating the San Francisco 49ers to win Super Bowl LIV 31-20. General Manager Brett Veach has the Chiefs looking like the Patriots dynasty in his seven years at the helm. This time, however, is different. San Francisco is even more dynamic on offense, and still dominant on the defensive side of the ball. Kansas City is younger as a team, and their unstoppable duo of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce have certainly catapulted themselves into All-time great status.
The story “between the lines” may be the biggest difference this go ‘round. Kansas City defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has the edge on the line against San Francisco’s offensive front. However– he’ll have to deal with the likes of Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle, a matchup nightmare for any defense. On the other hand, the outside threat of Tyreke Hill rallied the Chiefs to a win four years ago, something they have long desired since his departure. What they gained, however, was a young, talented defense that is very stingy and disciplined.
Despite the differences in their last Super Bowl meeting, the X factor for the Chiefs remains the same, Travis Kelce. The dynamic tight end has been able to flip the proverbial “switch” during the playoffs, transforming him into the offensive weapon he was before injuries slowed him down significantly. Though the offense is more unbalanced, the defense has never been so sound.
Finally, there is the Patrick Mahomes vs Brock Purdy story. Frankly, the only quarterback to outplay Mahomes in these big moments is retired after beating the Chiefs in two different uniforms– and Tom Brady is the only quarterback in the modern era that can say that.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about this year’s Kansas City Chiefs team is that they persevered their way to achieve the greatness they achieved four years ago as the NFL’s Super Bowl Champion.
