This year’s Super Bowl LVIII, between the Kansas Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers, will be played in Las Vegas, Nevada at Allegiant Stadium Sunday at 5:30 pm. This will be the first Super Bowl played in the state of Nevada. The game will be televised on CBS via Paramount+. The 49ers are slightly favored by less than a field goal. The Chiefs are the defending Super Bowl Champions; however, they’re facing a 49er team that’s determined after losing their last two Super Bowl appearances. In 2013 they lost to the Baltimore Ravens in a heartbreaking 31-34 loss and again in 2020 to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas Chiefs which ended the 49ers season beating them 20-31.
This will be the 49ers eighth Super Bowl appearance. They won five Super Bowl Championships. If they’re able to win, then they would join only the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New England Patriots, as the only franchises with six NFL titles. KC has played in a mind blowing four Super Bowls in the last five years. In Mahomes first Super Bowl, he defeated the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV. This Super Bowl, his fourth, will make him the youngest QB to make four Super Bowl appearances.
Arkansas’s Impact on the Superbowl
Arkansas will be represented by four players in the big game. Most notably, Dre Greenlaw. “Big Play Dre ” as he’s known throughout the league, was born in Conway, attended high school in Fayetteville and later he played for The University of Arkansas. Greenlaw is listed as the starting weakside linebacker for the 49ers. He is an intricate part of the San Francisco 49ers surprising defense, which is led by defensive coordinator, Steve Wilks. Brandon Allen, a record-breaking quarterback for the Razorbacks, will be the third string quarterback behind Brock Purdy. Allen was a starter at quarterback for the Hogs, from 2013 to 2015. Greenlaw and Allen both, attended Fayetteville High School and they won the 7A state title in 2011. Greg Odum, a six-year veteran, was a member of the 2020 and the 2022 all pro team at safety. He was a standout linebacker at UCA. The sole player for Kansas City is from England, Arkansas. They’re very own BJ Thompson. A rookie, who played for the Texas Longhorns, the Baylor Bears and for Stephen F. Austin. KC drafted him in 2023.
The Matchup
The coaching matchup between Andy Reid and Kyle Shanahan will be nothing short of a championship chess match pitting two offensive minded coaches that bring stellar defenses to the game. At 5-11 210 lbs., Christian McCaffrey is the most electrifying player since Gale Sayers, at the running back position. His ability to run between the tackles and being an excellent receiver out of the backfield makes him pregame favorite for the game’s MVP. Then there’s Debo Samuel. Debo brings power, toughness and at times, intimidation to opposing defenses. Which will be a threat to Chris Jones and the Chief’s defense.
Patrick Mahomes, the signal caller for Kansas City, will have his hands full facing, all pro, Bosa as the 49’ers leading pass rusher. Opposite Bosa, will be Chance.
Earlier in the week, Mahomes dad was arrested and booked in Tyler Texas Smith County jail for allegedly driving under the influence. Whether this will impact Mahomes performance, only time will tell.
Regardless of the outcome, this year’s Super Bowl is slated as the most gambled upon games in the history of sports. Thanks mostly to gambling apps and other legal gambling platforms. No wonder the league chose Vegas to host this year’s game.
Warmer and drier conditions are expected in the Las Vegas region on Sunday. A weak disturbance may arrive late Sunday and a brief wind shift is expected. Highs will be around 55 degrees during kick-off, which is at 3:30 p.m. PT or 6:30 p.m. ET. A zero percent chance of precipitation is expected.
With San Francisco’s weapons on both sides of the ball, I’m picking the 49ers to win by a score of 28 to 24. The over and under are resting at 47.5.
