Super Bowl Tips: Paddy’s NFL Quick Picks Guide for Kansas City Chiefs v San Francisco 49ers

The Chiefs will win – primarily because they’ve already shown a capability to just about outscore mean defenses to this point. San Francisco couldn’t limit a limp Packers unit and were 17 points down to Detroit.

As much as you can never rule out Patrick Mahomes it’s impossible for me to pick anybody but the 49ers who have been the best team in the NFL this season.

The 49ers are rightly favourites but the Chiefs have Patrick Mahomes. It’s hard to bet against one of the best quarterbacks of all time. I’m picking Kansas City.

Seven or eight weeks ago there’s no way I’d have gone for the Chiefs over the Niners, but San Francisco have been fortunate to make it past both Green Bay and Detroit. Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid and Steve Spagnuolo won’t be nearly as generous as the Lions were.

The Kansas City Chiefs. Having the situational experience will be key for the Chiefs. Their defence is one of the very best in the league and there’s no doubting the quality of Patrick Mahomes with the game on the line.

Under 47.5 Points. These offenses seem to headline, but the shootout many are expecting simply won’t come to pass. Kansas City are finding a way to convert third downs at a rapid rate, while SF will lean on CMC. This one will be slow. 23-20 to the Chiefs.

I’d lean to taking the Over here, but I love the 49ers team total of 24.5. I’m very confident in their ability to score heavily and I’m less sure on the Chiefs managing to keep their side of the bargain if betting the overall team total.

Both teams have offensive stars on show and that should make for an entertaining game I’m backing Over on the total. I think it will be a little closer than last time these sides met in the Super Bowl – Chiefs 31 49ers 27

I don’t love backing great defence over offence in the NFL generally, but the way the Chiefs have closed down opponents over the last few weeks makes me think the Under has to be the play here. It certainly makes most sense if KC are going to win. Chiefs 20, Niners 13.

Score prediction, I’ll go Chiefs 27-20 49ers. Unders backers to win by the slimmest of margins.

Both Head Coaches are creative geniuses will look to maximise the under-utilised elements of their offenses on the biggest stage. Both will defer so no edge there – let’s go with Justin Watson.

I’m taking a Niner and that’s Christian McCaffrey. He’s the 49ers’ danger man and against a poor Chiefs rushing defense he should be able to take advantage.

The Niners will need to get off to a fast start if they are to have any chance. Deebo Samuel’s versatility makes him a great option to open the scoring.

Patrick Mahomes at a generous price of about 17/1 is very tempting – he hasn’t had a rushing score all season, but this would be just the spot to break one out – however, Rashee Rice stands out to me as undervalued given his likely usage.

Isaiah Pacheco. The Kansas running back is their go to man in the redzone and is a danger both in the pass and the run. He’s scored in each of the Chiefs playoff games this season and I’d expect him to see the endzone again on Sunday.

The winning quarterback, as dull as that sounds. It’s one of the surest-fire bets you can have all year: Patrick Mahomes.

Normally you’re looking at the QB for the team you think will win but with the debate around just how good Brock Purdy actually is, and the incredible Christian McCaffrey, I think there’s good value on backing CMC.

If the Chiefs win it will be tough to look past Mahomes but Isiah Pacheco offers huge value at around 30/1. He’s scored eight touchdowns in his last seven games and will likely lead the Chiefs in total touches.

If the Chiefs win it will most likely be Mahomes, but only because Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is ineligible. If the voters give it to a defensive player in his place, Chris Jones is a massive price and potential game-winner if it’s a tight, low-scoring affair.

Patrick Mahomes. In the two Superbowls the Chiefs have won, 15 has gotten the honour. Typically the Quarterback gets the plaudits and if KC get over the line Sunday it should be no different.

George Karlaftis to have more tackles and assists combined than Nick Bosa. The Niners will run to his side, while Karlaftis will see a lot of Christian McCaffrey – plus Purdy is an easier sack than Mahomes.

It’s a long shot but I like Patrick Mahomes scoring the last touchdown of the game. It’s a big price and with the game on the line I could see him putting the team on his back and trying to score himself.

There has been a defensive touchdown in 46% of all Super Bowls, including last year by the Chiefs, both defences are around 7/1 to score a touchdown anytime.

So many to choose from but Christian McCaffrey to have the most yards after catch from a single reception is probably my favourite given the way he’s been playing. Jake Moody, the Niners kicker, to be the first player to score comes a close second.

#WhatOddsPaddy – Each team to score 1+ FG and 1+ Touchdown in each half. At odds of 22/1 this is definitely worth a punt. Both offences have the fire power to go down the field quickly and points will be taken at every opportunity.

Clear/Water – Every year, I always want to pick this because teams can have any colour of Gatorade on the sideline, but water is the constant. There’s been four occasions this century where it’s been a winner, so why not hedge your bets.

No real strongs lean but orange seems like a choice that could suit either team, plus it tastes great.

The Swift Super Bowl can only really be celebrated with one colour of Gatorade. Red (Taylor’s Version)

I know the pointy-headed analytics crowd will bamboozle  you with stats about other colours winning, but in my mind I can only ever see orange. Even when it’s not been orange, it’s still orange.

I’ll go with blue for the Gatorade – is it even possible to know this?!

After a quick glance at the setlists from his most recent tour – My Way is the fav for a reason.

I reckon Yeah! has to be in with a shout. It’s a banger to get the set off to a fast start.

OMG has probably the most recognisable opening of the Usher songs, and is one of his biggest hits. Seems a solid pick.

If it’s not Yeah! what are we doing here? Seriously.

OMG. Banger. Usher’s hit is a huge throwback for any 90s/00s kids. Music wouldn’t be my strong point but this feels like it would be the perfect entrance song to come out to.

Too many. But if you need a numeric value – I’ll say five.

The only correct answer is too much.

Last Sunday she dominated the Grammys, this Sunday she’ll dominate the Super Bowl coverage. There is a decent chance Taylor Swift gets more screen time than Usher.

If they could get away with calling this the Taylor Swift Livestream Featuring Super Bowl LVIII they probably would. I’d set an over/under line at 15.5 – assuming Travis Kelce has seven or eight catches you can bank about half that in cutaways following those plays.

Five times. There’s no question the NFL will use it’s biggest stage to enhance it’s brand to new audiences. If Kelce and the Chiefs have a big game then it’s no question she’ll see a lot of screen time. I’m going for five.