A Chance At Revenge: SB LVIII Gives The San Francisco 49ers The Opportunity To Derail A Kansas City Chiefs Dynasty

George Kittle and the San Francisco 49ers are looking for their first Super Bowl win since 1995. (Corey Perrine-USA TODAY Sports)

The Event

Where: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada.

When: 6:30PM ET on February 11th, 2024.

The Story

Very seldom in life is there an opportunity to enact a perfect story of revenge and retribution.

Super Bowl LVIII has given the San Francisco 49ers a chance to create that moment against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Looking back to 2020 when these same two teams met in Super Bowl LIV, it looked like the 49ers were in prime position to bring home another championship after three quarters.

They lead the Chiefs 20-10 heading into the fourth. The 49ers just needed to bring the ship to land. However, that’s when they were hit by the tidal wave that was Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Mahomes, who was ringless at the time, led a 21-0 fourth quarter comeback to decimate the 49ers’ dreams of a title. Instead, it became a coronation for Mahomes as the new king of the quarterback position in the NFL.

Since then, Mahomes and the Chiefs have added another Super Bowl victory under their belt. They won last year’s title in a 38-35 shootout against the Philadelphia Eagles.

A win at this year’s Super Bowl would be the Chiefs third championship in five years. They would have the opportunity to fill the void left by the New England Patriots dynasty and cement their status as the new team to beat in the NFL.

The 49ers have other plans. The team features key pieces who were around for their last trip to this stage like wide receiver Deebo Samuel, tight end George Kittle, offensive tackle Trent Williams and others.

However, you cannot tell this story without mentioning the new additions the 49ers made since then. Running back Christian McCaffrey and quarterback Brock Purdy are the main characters of that story.

McCaffrey and Purdy’s journey to the 49ers could not have been more different.

McCaffrey was selected eight overall by the Carolina Panthers. After a mix of productive seasons and injury-riddled ones, the Panthers moved on. In his sixth season, the Panthers traded him to the 49ers.

The 49ers selected Purdy with the last pick in 2022 NFL Draft, earning him the dubious nickname of ‘Mr. Irrelevant.’

Trey Lance was supposed to be the quarterback of the future in San Fran. Instead, after injuries to Lance and backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, Purdy stepped in as the starter and never surrendered the job thereafter.

Both Purdy and McCaffrey were named finalists for the MVP award this season. The pair led the 49ers offense to ranking second in yards per game and third in points per game.

Players To Watch

Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes: Two-time Super Bowl champion, two-time Super Bowl MVP, two-time NFL MVP.

Chiefs Tight end Travis Kelce: Two-time Super Bowl Champion, holds the NFL record for receptions in the playoffs, second-most receiving yards in the playoffs.

49ers Running Back Christian McCaffrey: Led the NFL in rushing yards, MVP candidate.

49ers Quarterback Brock Purdy: third in the NFL in passing touchdowns, MVP candidate.

Key Matchups

49ers offense (second in points per game, third in yards per game) versus the Chiefs defense (second in points per game and yards per game).

49ers Quarterback Brock Purdy versus the Chiefs fourth-ranked passing defense.

Chiefs Tight End Travis Kelce versus the 49ers fourteenth-ranked passing defense.

Injury Report

Chiefs: Offensive Guard Joe Thuney (pectoral) is questionable. Defensive End Charles Omenihu (torn acl) is out.

49ers: Tight End George Kittle (toe) did not participate in practice.

Betting Odds (via FanDuel)

The San Francisco 49ers are 2.5-point favourites to win the Super Bowl. Odds are subject to change.