Super Bowl LIV takes place Sunday from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida as the Kansas City Chiefs play the San Francisco 49ers. The Chiefs are currently 1.5 point favourites. Here are five reasons why the Chiefs could win their first Super Bowl since 1970.
5) Travis Kelce is a beast
In 2019, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce of Westlake, Ohio had a tremendous season. He led the NFL among tight ends this season in receptions (97) and receiving yards (1229). Getting open in the red zone will be key to Kansas City’s success.
4) Chiefs defense is slightly better
Everyone talked this season about the wonderful San Francisco defense. However, if you crunch the numbers, the Chiefs actually gave up fewer points (308) compared to 310 for the 49ers. Safety Tyrann Mathieu of New Orleans led the Chiefs this season with 63 tackles and four interceptions.
3) Andy Reid has a quarterback who can manage the clock
In 2005 when Andy Reid coached in the Super Bowl for the Philadelphia Eagles against the New England Patriots, he had a quarterback in Donovan McNabb who did a poor job in managing the clock down the stretch. Some of McNabb’s decisions were questionable to say the least and a major problem seemed to be a lack of urgency. That should not be a problem for Mahomes on Sunday, as Mahomes is excellent out of the pocket and great at making fast decisions. If he cannot find open areas to run the ball, expect him to pass the pigskin with pinpoint accuracy.
2) Patrick Mahomes’s accuracy
In 2019, Mahomes passed the football with unbelievable precision. He only had five interceptions all season long. That was the second fewest number of interceptions this season among NFL quarterbacks who had more than 400 pass attempts. Only Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers, had fewer interceptions with four.
1) The running mobility of Patrick Mahomes
One of the most prolific superstars in the entire National Football League, Mahomes can beat his opponents in many different ways. In the AFC Championship, it was because of his amazing running skills and ability to elude tacklers. On one particular play, Mahomes got by five Tennessee Titans defenders and reached the end zone for a 27-yard major score. At the time, the touchdown put Kansas City up 21-17 and it would be a lead the Chiefs would not give up the rest of the game en route to a 35-24 win.
