NFL.com recently released the latest edition of its annual Super Bowl predictions, featuring votes from the site's analysts and reporters on who will win the championship. The Kansas City Chiefs emerged as the favorites, earning nine votes, with each analyst predicting a Chiefs victory. Chad Reuter envisions the Chiefs defeating the San Francisco 49ers for the second consecutive year.
Five experts—Mike Band, Jeffri Chadiha, Marcas Grant, Michelle Magdziuk, and Steve Mariucci—selected the 49ers to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, all predicting a San Francisco win. Band and Mariucci foresee a victory over the Chiefs, while the others anticipate a win against the Cincinnati Bengals.
"Meeting (the Chiefs) in this game for the third time in the last six seasons, the 49ers finally get it done by leaning on their veterans and executing in all three phases," wrote Mariucci. "A more experienced Brock Purdy shows poise and sets himself up for a big payday when he leads the Niners to the mountaintop for the first time in three decades."
San Francisco finally agreeing to terms on a contract extension with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk certainly boosts its chances.
Band calls the 49ers and Chiefs the most complete teams in the NFL, adding, "Coach Kyle Shanahan exorcises his demons in this one, delivering San Francisco its first Lombardi Trophy in 30 years."
Grant comments that Shanahan can finally bury his postseason demons after losing three times in the Super Bowl—twice as the 49ers' head coach and once as the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons.
The Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers tied for third place in the predictions, with three votes each.