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Top 10 Storylines for Super Bowl XLIII: Taylor Swift, Patrick Mahomes and Brock Purdy!

Publish Date: 01/29/2024
Fact checked by: Simon Briffa

Four years ago, the Chiefs returned from a 20-10 deficit early in the fourth quarter to defeat the 49ers 31-20 and secure their second-ever Super Bowl ring courtesy of Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid.

The Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers will square off again for Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11 in Las Vegas, so here are ten storylines we should expect to be hearing about leading up to the big game:

10. Will Taylor Swift attend the Super Bowl?

If you don’t care much about Taylor Swift attending the Super Bowl, that is fine, but many do. To support Travis Kelce of the Chiefs on game day will not be easy since she will have one final show in Tokyo scheduled on the Saturday before. But Swift could hop a flight directly after this performance to Las Vegas before taking in the match; her next performance won’t occur until Australia on Friday, so there would be ample time for recuperation after such an extensive trip across continents.

Video: Taylor Swift KISSES Travis Kelce On Field After Chiefs Advance To Super Bowl

Taylor Swift KISSES Travis Kelce On Field After Chiefs Advance To Super Bowl

9. Las Vegas Takes Flight

Las Vegas has long been known for being the entertainment capital of America, yet its rapid transition into a sports capital has been astonishing. The NHL has awarded Las Vegas with an expansion team for 2017-18 season they were hosting a Stanley Cup Finals shortly after; NFL moved their Raiders franchise there; the MLB plans on moving their Oakland A’s team there; and the NBA will likely consider taking steps at some point to bring a franchise there as well.

Formula 1, the NFL Draft, and college basketball’s Final Four have all taken place or will take place soon in Las Vegas. Not long ago, the NFL shunned gambling-related events like these – now their marquee event will happen within walking distance from The Strip!

8. Kansas City Chiefs’ Defense Makes Significant Gains

Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid are certainly instrumental to Kansas City’s trip to the Super Bowl, but for once in this Mahomes/Reid era, defense also ranks highly. Kansas City held Baltimore scoreless for most of the game in its AFC championship game win; Kansas City has proven itself more formidable than in past seasons. Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnolo is one of the greatest defensive coordinators in NFL history and a win here with great defensive play may even put him in the top 10 of all-time.

7. Kyle Shanahan wants his redemption

Shanahan has been at the heart of two devastating Super Bowl losses as both the Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator and the 49ers head coach, losing a 28-3 lead to the New England Patriots. It was a game where the Falcons refused to run the play clock down in the fourth quarter and allowed Tom Brady and the Patriots too many opportunities to get back in the game.

As the Head Coach of the 49ers he blew a 20-10 lead in the fourth quarter.

6. Andy Reid Searches for History

Bill Belichick, Chuck Noll, Joe Gibbs, and Bill Walsh, may constitute the “Mount Rushmore of Super Bowl Coaching”,  winning his third championship would cement his status within this exclusive club; speculation about his future might also make waves this Super Bowl week: his 66th birthday will make headline news during Super Bowl week as many fans speculate that this may be Reid’s last game.

5. Have the Chiefs become a dynasty already?

Those comparing the 1990s Cowboys and Chiefs are similar teams. A third Super Bowl win makes this team a dynasty. If it wasn’t for Tom Brady and Joe Burrow the Chiefs may be going for six straight!

4. 49ers Stars

Since San Francisco last appeared in the Super Bowl, they acquired Christian McCaffrey via trade. That addition creates one of the greatest skill-position groups ever seen: George Kittle is a fantastic tight end; Brandon Aiyuk posted a 1,342-yard regular season; Deebo Samuel made some critical plays; Christian McCaffrey has proven himself one of the greatest running backs ever while left tackle Trent Williams stands among some of history’s finest offensive linemen; all these assets combine for San Francisco to beat opponents so effectively; San Francisco can beat you in so many ways if necessary!

3. Travis Kelce continues to beat time

Is Kelce the Goat at tight end? Kelce shouldn’t still be producing at this level at age 34, as Pete Retzlaff of the 1965 Philadelphia Eagles is the only tight end at 34 or older to produce a 1,000-yard season. While Kelce fell just short at 984 yards this season, his performance during playoff games has been phenomenal. He was dominant enough to score an AFC championship game touchdown with 116 yards accumulated on eleven! Kelce is making his case to become the greatest tight end ever that case can become even bigger if he goes off in this Super Bowl.

2. Brock Purdy’s Unforeseen Journey

Patrick Mahomes has already earned himself a place in NFL lore; now comes Brock Purdy, who recently was the last player drafted in the 2022 NFL draft. Purdy became the Niners quarterback last season because of injury issues. Although Purdy still has critics a win in this Super Bowl cements his place in history, with a Movie made about his life sure to follow.

1. Patrick Mahomes – the GOAT?

Although Tom Brady will always remain the standard-bearer in terms of credentials and achievement, until somebody else wins seven Super Bowls, Mahomes may have an opportunity to compete. Mahomes can’t miss opportunities like this in a game that is a pick’em if he wants to get to Brady’s level.

Mahomes may have just had his finest postseason ever. All season, Kansas City and their lack of dynamic playmakers were topics of conversation; when he arrived in the postseason, however, all was forgotten as Kansas City won three straight games thanks to Mahomes. Mahomes is a truly amazing player who will go down as one of all-time greats.

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