Our crew at AllPanthers.com is confident in their respective score predictions for this year's big game between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. Who knows? Maybe we'll have a good laugh at ourselves come Monday, reminiscent of the same feeling Panthers fans had while watching the NFL Honors awards where they were the butt of Keegan-Michael Key's joke.
Schuyler Callihan: Chiefs 23, 49ers 20.
San Francisco may have a slightly deeper roster, but I just can't bet against Patrick Mahomes. The man comes up clutch game after game, year after year. With a win tonight, he'll have three rings at the age of 28. That's entering Tom Brady territory. Give me Mahomes and the Chiefs to put together a game-winning drive late in the fourth to win it.
Ian Black: Chiefs 24, 49ers 20.
Against a 49ers team as solid top to bottom as a mountain, give me the man who perpetually sits atop the mountain of success in Mahomes. Kelce and Pacheco have heated up considerably during the playoffs, the defense looks strong, and I believe they will once again hoist the Lombardi when it is all said and done.
Matt Alquiza: Chiefs 20, 49ers 16.
I’m expecting this to be lower scoring than most. Both sides sport elite defenses and rushing attacks. Unfortunately for the casual observer, this will be a game with few possessions and long drives. The Chiefs have the advantage at the most important position in sports and will win the war of attrition by Mahomes making more plays at the end.
Tyler Ball: 49ers 38, Chiefs 31
This game will be a great showdown. Look for a terrific QB battle between Mahomes and Purdy throwing a mixed combination of deep throws but consistent intermediate attempts. This one will come down to which team has the stronger run game and with offensive player of the year Christian McCaffrey on the field, I don’t see how they stop him.
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