Follow along as the Chiefs face the 49ers in the Super Bowl.
The Chiefs and 49ers are facing off for the Lombardi Trophy, with kickoff slated for 6:30 EST.
The Chiefs are looking for their first Super Bowl victory since 1970. Kansas City head coach Andy Reid is vying for the first Super Bowl title of his career.
They'll try to do so behind an offensive attack predicated on the deep threat. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes's huge arm, scrambling ability and proficiency at throwing on the run—paired with lethal weapons through the air like Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill—netted the fourth-highest passing yards in the NFL during the regular season.
In the AFC Divisional Round against the Texans, the Chiefs went down 24-0 heading into the second quarter. They went on to outscore Houston 51-7 en route to a blowout victory.
It was all part of
a historic night in Kansas City. The Chiefs became the first team in NFL history to be tied or leading at halftime after being down by 24 or more points. They were also the first team in NFL history to win a playoff game by 20 or more points after being down by 20 or more points.Mahomes and Kelce also set individual NFL records during the game.
In the following round, the Chiefs dismantled the Titans 35-21, never relinquishing control—or the lead—after another shaky first quarter. Mahomes, too, had a historic night, throwing for 294 yards and three touchdowns in the victory.
The 49ers are back in the Super Bowl after a seven year hiatus. With a new general manager, coach and roster, the team has revamped themselves around the ground attack and their defense.
This was, of course, the team with the second highest rushing yards and second highest amount of points throughout the regular season.
San Francisco did it on the backs of Kyle Shanahan's playbook, which coalesced perfectly with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo's skillset: Decision-making and accuracy.
The team had no trouble getting to the Super Bowl, either. And unlike the Chiefs, they didn't need to struggle during first quarters to do so. In the NFC Divisional Round against the Vikings, the Niners won 27-10 without ever relinquishing their lead.
In the NFC Championship Game, San Francisco systemically picked apart the Packers offense, their defense stifling the Packers into just 93 yards going into a halftime that the 49ers led 27-0.
Garoppolo ended up throwing just eight passes for just 77 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. But it didn't matter. San Francisco's running attack netted 285 yards, including 220 with four touchdowns by Raheem Mostert. Old school football: ground-and-pound and defense.
Keep up to date with Sports Illustrated for live updates throughout the game:
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