Super Bowl 2024 predictions: Will Chiefs, Mahomes repeat history vs. 49ers, McCaffrey?

Former Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey will look to lead the San Francisco 49ers to a Super Bowl LVIII victory on Sunday against the defending champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

McCaffrey’s historic scoring output has helped quarterback Brock Purdy and the 49ers get to the big game. The 49ers famously (or infamously, if you’re a Carolina fan) acquired McCaffrey in a mid-season trade in 2022. He has since produced 2,205 rushing yards, 1,028 receiving yards and 31 total touchdowns in 27 regular-season games. He has also scored four rushing touchdowns during this current playoff run.

Former Panthers interim head coach Steve Wilks and quarterback Sam Darnold joined McCaffrey in San Francisco this past year. Wilks will call the defense, while Darnold will back up Purdy.

On the opposite side, the Chiefs are battling for their second consecutive Super Bowl championship. The trio of head coach Andy Reid, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce have already won two Super Bowls together and want to secure their dynasty status with a third set of rings in five years.

Below are game predictions from The Charlotte Observer’s sports writers:

Predicting who will win Super Bowl LVIII

Scott Fowler: Chiefs 27, 49ers 20. It’s possible to beat Patrick Mahomes in a big game, but it’s just not likely. The time to defeat Kansas City was earlier in the year, when wide receivers were dropping Mahomes’ passes left and right and Kelce was looking a little old. Now Kelce has a new girlfriend — you may have heard of her — and the wideouts seem to have gotten their act together. The defense also shut down Lamar Jackson in the AFC Championship. It will be a good one. But after Kansas City went into both Buffalo and Baltimore and won difficult playoff road games, I’m convinced.

Mike Kaye: Chiefs 24, 49ers 23. While the Chiefs aren’t as dangerous on offense as they’ve been in the past, the Kansas City defense has really stepped up this year. The 49ers can hang with Mahomes and company, but the quarterback’s big-game experience and unreal playmaking abilities give the Chiefs a notable edge. Purdy is going to need to be flawless and protect the ball for the 49ers to have a chance in the closing moments.

Ultimately, though, I think Reid will get his third ring and establish himself as a top-five head coach of all time.

Langston Wertz Jr.: Chiefs 31, 49ers 27: I think the 49ers get a late touchdown to get the lead and then Patrick Mahomes, the best player today in football and maybe the best quarterback ever in football, will lead Kansas City to memorable game-winning drive and lead the Chiefs another Super Bowl title.

Alex Zietlow: 49ers 35, Chiefs 31. I can’t believe I’m betting against Patrick Mahomes. But so much of my first year covering the NFL has bordered on the unbelievable — particularly with my up-close-and-personal look at the despondent Carolina Panthers’ 2023 season. So let’s roll with this: Give me Kyle Shanahan not going away from what’s made his team successful all season and ultimately outdueling Andy Reid. Give me George Kittle out-receiving Travis Kelce and Christian McCaffrey outrunning Isiah Pacheco. And give me former Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks and McCaffrey getting their due, too, all in a semi-shootout that sees CMC earn his first Super Bowl MVP.