Super Bowl 54: Staff picks, score predictions for 49ers vs. Chiefs

Super Bowl 54 pits two elite teams, the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers, against one another. Staff picks and score predictions for the Big Game.

After 17 weeks of the 2019 NFL regular season, three weeks of the playoffs and then the Pro Bowl, all eyes in the football world are on Miami as the field has been whittled down to two teams. On Sunday, Feb. 2 at 6:30 p.m. ET, the Kansas City Chiefs will represent the AFC against the NFC champion San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV.

The Chiefs, led by Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid in their search for their first Super Bowl wins, went 12-4 in the regular season to earn the No. 2 seed in the AFC and have turned it on in the playoffs, topping the Texans in a marvelous comeback before handling the red-hot Titans for the conference championship.

Meanwhile, the 49ers were the No. 1 seed in the NFC and have lived up to the billing. Kyle Shanahan’s club led by quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, a monstrous rushing attack and an elite defense steamrolled both the Vikings and Packers to punch their ticket to Miami.

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But what they’ve done up to now doesn’t matter at this point. All that’s left is 60 minutes to leave it all on the field to try and capture a Lombardi Trophy. So when it all goes down in Miami, who wins: the Chiefs of 49ers? These are the NFL Spin Zone staff picks and score predictions for Super Bowl LIV.

Cody Williams (Editor)

There has been so much discussion about whether or not Jimmy Garoppolo can hang with Patrick Mahomes in a shootout. That, of course, assumes that the 49ers defense won’t be able to slow down the Chiefs offense. However, I don’t see San Francisco playing catch-up, even if we do get a relatively high-scoring affair.

San Francisco’s ability to bring pressure without blitzing will cause Mahomes to make some mistakes and not be unstoppable. That will allow Garoppolo to not press and rely on Raheem Mostert and the speed of a well-designed rushing attack. Subsequently, we’re going to see a lot of lead-changes in Super Bowl LIV.

When you get down to it though, Mahomes is the best player on the field in Miami and that’s something I can’t shake. Couple that with the explosive speed the Chiefs have on offense and a sneakily not-speedy 49ers defense, Kansas City will emerge from their 50-year Super Bowl drought and win. Score prediction: Chiefs 34, 49ers 30

James Alley

This game could go either way and is difficult to pick but, in the end, it comes down to the fact that Mahomes and the Kansas City passing attack will just be too much for the 49ers defense to handle. The offense is just way too overpowering to be stopped and the only chance that San Fransisco has of winning is beating them in a shootout — and I can’t see that happening.

However, the Chiefs cannot just rely on their offense to win this game they need to be able to shut down the run game on defense, much like they did against the Titans. The biggest factor is Mahomes. If he comes out playing like he has throughout the playoffs this year, then there is no doubt that he will get his first Lombardi Trophy. We are in for a very good game that’ll be close, a close one the Chiefs win. Score Prediction: Chiefs 31, 49ers 28

Samuel Teets

While the upcoming Super Bowl is primarily pitched as a game between Kansas City’s offense and San Francisco’s defense, San Francisco’s offense holds the key to the whole game. If the 49ers can run the ball with their dominant offensive line, control the clock, and keep Patrick Mahomes on the bench, then the Chiefs face a massive disadvantage.

Kansas City’s defense allowed the 26th most rushing yards per game during the regular season, making their matchup against San Francisco’s second-ranked rushing offense problematic. San Francisco’s advantages along the defensive and offensive lines are well known. Now, it comes down to how Andy Reid and Mahomes counter Kyle Shanahan and Robert Saleh.

Even if Mahomes plays a magical game, it’s difficult to see the one-dimensional Chiefs upsetting San Francisco. Score Prediction: 49ers 38, Chiefs 28

Mitchell Hansen

The Chiefs, led by Patrick Mahomes under center, and the 49ers, led by quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, will both have their moments and will put on a show on the big stage on Sunday. But whichever defense can hold one of those two guys in check and string together a few stops will be the biggest key and will have the advantage at the end of the game.

On the defensive side of the ball, that advantage will go to San Francisco, as it has shown the ability to be a solid defensive team throughout the course of the season. Although Mahomes and Kansas City present a tough matchup for the 49ers defense, San Francisco will be able to limit the Chiefs just enough to be able to counter them with their talent on offense to pull out in front late in the contest.

At the end of the game, Garoppolo and company will come out on top and San Francisco will edge past Kansas City to be crowned Super Bowl LIV champions in Miami. Score prediction: 49ers 28, Chiefs 24

John Kazar

A hard-hitting Super Bowl matchup that is essentially a clash of a high-powered offense and a top-flight defense. How about that tight end battle too? George Kittle and Travis Kelce are (unofficially) the undisputed best two at the position in football. The 49ers really know how to control the clock and work long drives in the run game, while the Chiefs pack a punch by upping their side of the scoreboard in seconds through the air.

Downfield threats like Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman always create matchup issues for defenses but San Francisco is equipped to accept the challenge. I believed after the Chiefs’ loss in the AFC title game to the Patriots last year that they would strike back and be ready to take the next leap.

Well, that moment is here and Andy Reid gets another crack at a Lombardi Trophy for the first time in 15 years. This one is going to be a fun ride the whole way, but don’t expect full-fledged fireworks but something more along the lines of a back and forth chess match. Score prediction: Chiefs 27, 49ers 20

Randy Gurzi

It feels as though we have heard this one before. The high-powered Kansas City Chiefs offense cannot be slowed down. That is, unless a completely opposite offense that controls the clock with the ground game can keep them sidelined.

That’s at least what was said when the Tennessee Titans and their powerful running attack headed to Kansas City. And for a while, it worked. The Titans had a lead and the Chiefs were looking mortal. But then, things clicked and they kicked in the afterburners, cruising to an easy win.

While the San Francisco 49ers are much better than the Titans, it feels like more of the same. San Francisco can get a lead on these guys but the real question is whether or not they can hold the lead.

In the end, I just don’t see it happening as the Chiefs make enough plays in the second half to pull out the win. Score prediction: Chiefs 34, 49ers 23

Todd Salem

My gut tells me to back Kansas City. Granted, my gut has been terrible this season, but the Chiefs have felt a bit underrated in my mind as everyone gravitated toward Baltimore or New England in the AFC. Backing Andy Reid in the biggest of games gives me pause, but the possibility of a late-game timing blunder should have less of an impact with a former league MVP at quarterback.

And besides, Reid is famously great after byes and with long times to prepare for an opponent. Score prediction: Chiefs 28, 49ers 21

Dan Salem

Patrick Mahomes wins this Super Bowl and the Chiefs defense shows up big to bring things home. Teams need above-average defense to reach the championship and they need their best players to do great things in order to win the Lombardi trophy. This means the defense shining for the victor, but a player like Mahomes usually trumps a defense’s impact. Super Bowl LIV comes down to one thing, and it’s an easy answer.

Which quarterback do I trust to score with 90 seconds on the clock and the game on the line? That player is Mahomes with zero debate. San Francisco has been a great story all season, but Jimmy Garoppolo will not be able to do more than Mahomes. Chiefs win. Score prediction: Chiefs 35, 49ers 21

Nick Amadruto

I think the Kansas City Chiefs will edge out the San Francisco 49ers as the champions of Super Bowl LIV as Patrick Mahomes picks up his first Super Bowl MVP award of his career. I think the Chiefs offense is too unpredictable and too versatile for even the great, dominant 49ers defense to have a chance to stop.

Unless Nick Bosa has three sacks and becomes the true game-breaker he was drafted to be, I see the Chiefs scoring at will like they have all season. And I can’t see Jimmy Garoppolo matching Mahomes or the score. Score prediction: Chiefs 37, 49ers 24

Russell Baxter

Both head coaches are looking for retribution. Andy Reid’s Eagles fell to the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX while Kyle Shanahan was the Falcons’ offensive coordinator in 2016 when Atlanta came unglued in LI vs. New England.

The 49ers’ defense can get after the quarterback and again looks like the unit that helped the team get off to an 8-0 start. But it’s Kansas City’s defense that has performed much better after a rocky start and Reid’s club is playing complementary football.

Both clubs feature stars in Travis Kelce and George Kittle and a tight end has never been named Super Bowl MVP. The Niners settle for too many field goals and Patrick Mahomes and company escape with the victory. Score prediction: Chiefs 24, 49ers 22

Dan Ambrosino

While the old adage “defense wins championships” will stand the test of time, it is no longer relevant. Five of the last seven Super Bowl winners have eclipsed the 28-point mark. Last year’s contest between the Patriots and Rams was an anomaly. Offense is the driver.

Despite how great the 49ers defense has been, no team has found a formula to stop Patrick Mahomes. He has scored 28 or more points in 25 of his 35 starts and leads all quarterbacks in touchdown passes over the last two years. With his arsenal of weapons and extraordinary coaching staff, I don’t see how this offense is stopped.

The 49ers offense has averaged nearly 30 points per game this year, but I wonder how they fare against a Chiefs team that has allowed 15.5 points per game in their last eight contests. Conversely, the San Francisco defense has allowed 23 points per game in that span.

I think Mahomes outduels Garoppollo and wins a close one. Score prediction: Chiefs 35, 49ers 31

Carlos Nazario

Here is a quirky fact: Many view the Kansas City Chiefs as the high-powered offense that needs to get by the devouring San Francisco 49ers defense. What if I told you that the Chiefs defense allowed fewer points than the Niners and the Niners offense scored more points than the Chiefs?

I think it ultimately comes down to the quarterbacks. Patrick Mahomes and his teammates are on a mission this season after last season’s heartbreak and not even an injury would stop them. He was a force of nature against the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans.

I’m not sure Jimmy Garoppolo can be the same. His own coach has questions. After starting out 10-of-15 for 115 yards and a touchdown in the Divisional Round, he threw a pick. After that he only threw four times, completing just one pass. In the NFC Championship Game, he only threw eight passes for 77 yards.

Yes, the Niners had big leads but I don’t think that will be the case on Sunday. In a close game, Mahomes will shine brighter. I’m not sure it’ll be close, though. I think the Mahomes is the MVP and the Chiefs win big. Score prediction: Chiefs 48, 49ers 17

Rebecca Mills

This year’s Super Bowl matchup is especially exciting as it’s two very deserving teams who have bright futures ahead. Of course, only one can win, though. Between the San Fransisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs, the Chiefs are my pick to win Super Bowl LIV.

The Chiefs are a complete team on offense, defense and special teams along with a stellar coach in Andy Reid. That’s not to say that the 49ers won’t make it a close game as I look for the Chiefs to score early but the 49ers to keep on pace with them.

It will be a solid back and forth until the fourth quarter. Against the Packers, the 49ers seemed to fall apart in the final quarter, scoring only three points. I see that happening against the Chiefs as well. Regardless, I do think the game will be close. Score prediction: Chiefs 37, 49ers 34

Lucas Schuh

This game is more than just a Super Bowl — this game is a game that will start a legacy for players and coaches alike.

As well as a legacy game, this is a matchup between the two best play-callers in the NFL, Andy Reid and Kyle Shanahan. Reid is one of the most creative minds in the passing game with his use of pre-snap motion. Meanwhile, you have Shanahan on the other side, who is one of the best play-designers in the rushing attack.

Ultimately, this game is going to come down to a shootout and the team best suited for a shootout is the Cheifs. This Cheifs offense will be too much to handle for the 49ers defense and, with a lead built up, Garoppolo isn’t a talented enough quarterback to play with the 49ers run game being nullified. Score prediction: Chiefs 38, 49ers 31