Mahomes and the Chiefs overcame a 20-10 fourth-quarter deficit and beat the 49ers 31-20 to give coach Andy Reid his first Super Bowl victory on Feb. 2, 2020. Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers spoiled Kansas City’s repeat bid the following year.
The Chiefs will become just the third team to play in four Super Bowls over a five-year span. Only the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s, the Dallas Cowboys in the 1990s and the Patriots in the 2000s and 2010s won three Super Bowls in a five-year span.
Mahomes rallied the Chiefs for a 38-35 comeback win over the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl last year. They beat Miami 26-7 in the wild-card round and defeated the Bills 27-24 in Buffalo last week in Mahomes’ first career playoff game on the road besides Super Bowls.
The 49ers were dominated by the Eagles in the NFC title game last year in a game that saw Purdy suffer a significant elbow injury that required surgery. He returned for the season opener and helped them earn a first-round bye. Purdy led a 24-21 comeback win over Green Bay last week and brought the Niners back from a 17-point deficit against the Lions.
Only New England and Pittsburgh have more Super Bowl wins the San Francisco, which last won it following the 1994 season.
Reid will lead a team in the Super Bowl for the fifth time, moving into a tie with Tom Landry for third most behind Bill Belichick’s nine and Don Shula’s six. Reid coached the Eagles when the Patriots beat them to repeat 19 years ago.
Niners coach Kyle Shanahan returns to the Super Bowl after losing to Reid in his first crack at it. Shanahan was Atlanta’s offensive coordinator when the Falcons blew a 28-3 lead against Brady and the Patriots in Super Bowl 51.
Mahomes, a two-time NFL and Super Bowl MVP, will start in his fourth Super Bowl, tied with Joe Montana, Terry Bradshaw, Peyton Manning, Roger Staubach and Jim Kelly for third-most behind Brady’s 10 and John Elway’s five.
The biggest question is whether Taylor Swift will make it to Las Vegas to watch her boyfriend in the Super Bowl on Feb. 11. Swift, who celebrated with Kelce on the field after the victory over the Ravens, is scheduled to perform in Japan just 24 hours before kickoff.
When does the Super Bowl start in New Zealand?
Kickoff is 12.30pm on February 12.
Who is playing the Super Bowl halftime show?
R&B singer Usher.
What time does the Super Bowl halftime show start in New Zealand?
With the game kicking off at 12.30pm NZT, expect the Super Bowl halftime show to begin around 2pm. The show takes around 15-20 minutes.
How to watch/stream the Super Bowl in New Zealand?
The Super Bowl will be broadcast free-to-air on TVNZ and also on Sky TV via ESPN.
For those who are more into streaming, TVNZ+ and Sky Sports Now (via ESPN) are broadcasting the game live.
TV coverage begins at 12pm, with the game due to kickoff at 12.30pm.
ACC’s Super Bowl Extravaganza
The Alternative Commentary Collective is teaming up with the TAB and Sweat Shop Brew Kitchen in Auckland to bring the biggest Super Bowl Party in the country. The ACC will be hosting pre and post-match festivals and giving away a heap of food and beverage vouchers, plus there will be a special Super Bowl menu and TAB bonus bets up for grabs.
And of course, more screens than you’ll ever need to catch every big hit and touchdown. Book here.
Plus, everyone who attends on the day goes in the draw to win a trip for two to Los Angeles thanks to our mates at Air New Zealand’s Grabaseat.
Super Bowl odds
According to the TAB:
Kansas City: $1.90
San Francisco: $1.83
Super Bowl prediction
Chiefs 31 49ers 24
