49ers vs. Chiefs preview: Expert predictions, picks and odds for Super Bowl 2024
Super Bowl 58 between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs is set for this Sunday, Feb. 11. These two teams faced off against one another in Super Bowl 54 with the Chiefs coming out victorious. Now, the 49ers get a shot at revenge, but that could be easier said than done.
Although the Kansas City Chiefs ended the regular season with an 11-6 record – their worst record since Patrick Mahomes was sitting behind Alex Smith in 2017 – they've mighty morphed back into the unstoppable team we came to know once the playoffs rolled around. Star tight end Travis Kelce hadn't had a single game with 100 receiving yards or multiple touchdowns since Week 6 against the Los Angeles Chargers. He has two such games in these playoffs. The Chiefs are playing their best football of the season right now, and that might be too much for the 49ers to overcome.
On the other side, the 49ers, despite having a bye week in the wild card round, have struggled in the playoffs, needing come-from-behind wins against the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions in order to secure their ticket to the Super Bowl. Although the 49ers have arguably the most compete roster in the NFL, with stars at nearly every important position, the Chiefs have proven capable of finishing the job and winning a Super Bowl. The Niners have reached four NFC conference championship games in the last five seasons and have zero rings to show for it.
Here are some predictions for Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas.
Big game action: Americans are expected to wager an eye-popping $23 billion on 2024 Super Bowl
Super Bowl 58 Predictions, Chiefs vs. 49ers:
USA Today: 49ers (-2)
Lorenzo Reyes likes the 49ers due to their more complete roster. Reyes even goes as far as to say that he would take the 49ers up to -2.5.
ESPN: Experts overwhelmingly pick Chiefs to win
The website asked its network of 64 experts to weigh in with their thoughts on who takes the big game on Sunday. In what is a landslide, the Chiefs were the favorite to win the game. There were 49 experts to pick a Kansa City victory to 15 that gave the 49ers the edge.
BetMGM: Chiefs ML (+110)
BetMGM's model gives the Chiefs a 52 percent chance to win the game. If the underdog is projected to win, betting their moneyline is a solid bet. However, if you're looking to play it a little safer, Chiefs (+2) would also be a winning combination as BetMGM gives the Chiefs a 53% chance to cover the spread.
CBS Sports: 49ers to lead at half, Chiefs to win the game
Jared Dubin writes, "The Chiefs haven't led at halftime of any of their three Super Bowl appearances in this era (they were tied with the Niners and trailing both the Bucs and Eagles), so if you think the Chiefs will win, this is better value than just taking the money line."
FOX Sports: Chiefs 27, 49ers 24
Ben Arthur writes, "The Niners have the more complete team, and it wouldn't surprise me if their offense was able to move the ball effectively against an elite Chiefs defense. But I just can't count out Patrick Mahomes rising to the occasion on the biggest stage."
Sports Illustrated: First score to be Chiefs rushing touchdown (+750)
Mark Lammey understands that this is a bold claim, but he believes either Isiah Pacheco or Patrick Mahomes will be the first person to score a touchdown in Super Bowl 58. At the end of they day, Lammey just isn't sure who will win the game, writing "We expect San Francisco to look great in the second half to make this an epic matchup." However, given San Francisco's ineffectiveness against the run this postseason, Lammey likes Pacheco to find the endzone early.
Sporting News: Chiefs 31, 49ers 27
Vinnie Iyer writes: "Purdy will play well and make this a classic, but Mahomes is still Mahomes, Reid is still Reid, and Kelce is still Kelce."
Super Bowl 58, Chiefs-49ers odds and lines:
The 49ers are favorites to defeat the Chiefs, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2023.
Spread: 49ers (-2)
Moneyline: 49ers (-130); Chiefs (+110)
Over/under: 47.5
How to watch Super Bowl 58: date, TV, streaming
When: Sunday, February 11, 2024
Where: Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT
TV: CBS, Nickelodeon
Stream: YouTube TV, Fubo TV, Paramount+
Stream the game: Watch Super Bowl 58 with Fubo
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2024 Super Bowl: Predictions, odds for near pick 'em 49ers-Chiefs game
