The highly anticipated Super Bowl 58 has finally arrived; in a rematch of Super Bowl 54, the Kansas City Chiefs will be taking on the San Francisco 49ers.
Back in 2020, Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs were able to dig themselves out of a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter, securing a big win.
In both their unconventional paths to the Super Bowl, the Chiefs struggled mightily throughout the middle weeks of the year before finding their stride once the pressure of the playoffs began.
The Chiefs ran through Miami, going on to defeat Buffalo and Baltimore on the road in low-scoring affairs.
On the other hand, the 49ers dominated their opponents throughout the year for the majority but have looked shaky in the playoffs. After a first-round bye, the 49ers hosted the young, upstart Packers, who jumped out in front, giving San Francisco a scare before finding a way to win in the second half.
The theme was no different in the NFC Championship, where they fell behind the Lions by as much as 17. The 49ers stormed back in the third quarter and never looked back, leading us to our highly anticipated rematch.
Mahomes enters his fourth Super Bowl of his career while opposing quarterback Brock Purdy has coined the nickname “Mr. Irrelevant” for being the final pick in the 2022 draft.
Purdy brought the 49ers to the NFC Championship in 2022, despite a slew of injuries, before falling to the Philadelphia Eagles. While the young quarterback has received criticism for being a passenger on the 49ers due to the talent around him, two NFC Championships (1-1) is nothing to sneeze at.
Taking all of this into consideration, members of The Maine Campus predicted the outcome of the Super Bowl. Some of the predictions were very viable possibilities, while others were not. As far as what predictions fall under each of those categories, you can be the judge of that.
News Editor Sofia Langlois: “It will be the first-ever tie in Super Bowl history. 19-19.”
Business Manager Westley Brinegar: “Chiefs bring home the Lombardi trophy by a score of 31-28. Kansas City’s dynasty continues despite a masterful game from 49ers running back Christian Mccaffrey. Isiah Pacheco stuns everyone by bringing home the Super Bowl MVP.”
Editor-in-Chief, Caty Dudevoir: “The Chiefs will take home the victory 24-20.”
Co-Head Copy Editor Ginny Crossland: “The Kansas City Chiefs will storm back from a large deficit much like the Patriots did against the Falcons in Super Bowl 51. The Chiefs will prevail due to Taylor Swift’s relationship with Travis Kelce years in advance in efforts to remain relevant. Taylor will also debut her new song with Post Malone during halftime, “Fortnight”
Culture Editor Cali Warren: “Nobody wins and the game ends with a wholesome handshake, 0-0.”
Head Illustrator, Tillia Baratta: 49ers
Opinion Editor, Haden Buzzell: “Chiefs win 31-27. Both Pacheco and Kelce score two Touchdowns. Christian McCaffrey scores two touchdowns, while Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel each add a touchdown. 49ers kicker Jake Moody misses an extra point to keep the 49ers total points at 27. The decisive play of the game will have the Chiefs converting on fourth down in the final two minutes to run the clock out”
Marketing Director Evan Soucy: “49ers will win”
Sports Contributor Jack Kelly: “I think the x-factor in this game will be the amount of turnovers 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has. If he plays a mistake-free game, I think the 49ers have a great chance of winning. That being said, it’s hard to bet against Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs. He has a 14-3 record in the playoffs and always finds a way to win games. Therefore, I’m picking the Chiefs to win Super Bowl 58 by a score of 29-24”
Sports Copy Editor Jon Guzman: “I think the Chiefs win a close one. 24-21 on a game-deciding field goal by Harrison Butker.”
Sports Editor Andrew Varipatis: I think both teams are very good and are indeed the two best teams in the NFL. In a game so close between the rosters, I tend to lean towards the coaching and the experience. I also disliked how the 49ers played in the playoffs, narrowly escaping elimination in every game. I like Mahomes to truly kickstart the Chiefs dynasty and add a third title in four years. Mahomes wins Super Bowl MVP. Chiefs 28-24.
