The last time the Kansas City Chiefs appeared in the Super Bowl, they weren’t even a part of the National Football League. They won the American Football League title and met the NFL champion Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV, winning, 23-7. Their quarterback was Len Dawson, and they started a history of futility for the Vikings, who have appeared in five Super Bowls but have won none of them. Now, 50 years later, they are taking on the San Francisco 49ers, a team with five Super Bowl championships in their trophy case. The Chiefs have been listed as slight favorites in the early sports betting listings. Should you bet on the Chiefs? Here are seven reasons why the Kansas City Chiefs will end five decades of championship futility.
7 Reasons Why the Kansas City Chiefs Will Win Super Bowl LIV
Odds to Win Super Bowl LIV
Patrick Mahomes’ arm — and feet
You can’t start a discussion of the Chiefs’ chances to win Super Bowl LIV without bringing up Patrick Mahomes II. He was the league’s MVP after the 2018 campaign — his first full season as the starting quarterback for the Chiefs. This year, he missed some time with a dislocated kneecap, and he still put up over 4,000 yards of passing offense, posting a 26:5 TD:INT ratio. His QBR (78.0) was second best in the entire NFL. He ran for 106 yards in the Chiefs’ two postseason wins, including a 27-yard scamper for a score against Tennessee, so even when there is coverage down the field, Mahomes can still beat you.
Patrick Mahomes’ leadership
There are some quarterbacks who put up gaudy numbers when they have plenty of time in the pocket but then melt down when the pressure turns up (Kirk Cousins, we’re talking to you). Mahomes is not that type of quarterback. He never seems to panic, and he only makes mistakes rarely. Few quarterbacks can look at a defense and understand where the openings will be as consistently as he can. That will pay off against a terrific 49ers defense.
Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman and Sammy Watkins
This might be the best trio of wide receivers in the NFL. Hill had seven touchdown catches in the regular season — and he only played 12 games. Hardman is an outstanding return specialist, and he caught six touchdown passes, even though he only caught passes in five of the team’s 16 games. That leaves Watkins as the third option, which is dangerous given his talent, as we saw in his coming-out party against the Titans.
Travis Kelce
Having a tight end like Travis Kelce is invaluable for a quarterback. He can find the soft holes in the zone, and then he has deceptive speed. He led the Chiefs in receptions and receiving yards and was named All-Pro for a fourth time. That really makes four terrific options running routes down the field for Mahomes.
Damien Williams
Williams isn’t the fastest or the strongest tailback in the NFL. He won’t put up rushing yard totals near 200 per game, like Derrick Henry did, but he is deadly coming out of the backfield. He plays a role similar to what James White plays for the New England Patriots, catching swing passes on wheel routes or moving into the slot and running routes — giving Mahomes more flexibility and more weapons.
An underrated offensive line
The Chiefs’ front five permitted 25 sacks during the regular season, third fewest in the league. In their last eight games, which the Chiefs have won, the unit has surrendered just nine sacksd. Right tackle Mitchell Schwartz has not permitted a sack to his assigned man in 782 plays that involved pass blocking this season.
The Chiefs can play defense?
The defense betrayed Kansas City last year, leading to their overtime loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship. However, their pass defense improved from 31st in the league last year to eighth this year. The team ranked fifth in interceptions with 16, and they picked up 45 sacks, 11th in the league. Their opponents only converted 37 percent of their first downs. However, that rushing defense permitted 128 yards per game, which could mean a big day for the 49ers.
