Super Bowl Odds 2024: Bold Predictions for 49ers vs. Chiefs

When the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs take the field at Super Bowl LVIII, one will etch its name into the NFL history books and the other will face an offseason full of wondering where it all went wrong.

Between the opening kick and the celebration, though, the tilt could twist and turn in ways no one saw coming.

Let's spotlight some potential surprises, then, by making a pair of bold predictions after laying out all of the scheduling and wagering information you need to know.

Super Bowl LVIII Schedule, Odds

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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 28: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates with the Lamar Hunt Trophy after a 17-10 victory against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Location: Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas

Date: Sunday, Feb. 11

Time: 6:30 p.m. ET

TV and Live Stream: CBS and Paramount+

Line: 49ers -2

Over/Under: 47 Points

Money Line: 49ers -120 (bet $120 to win $100), Chiefs +100 (bet $100 to win $100)

*Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook

Bold Prediction: Christian McCaffrey Tops 150 Scrimmage Yards

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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 28: Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship Game at Levi's Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Calling for a big day from Christian McCaffrey may not seem—on the surface, at least—particularly bold. He was the league's leading rusher this season, and that output doesn't include his 500-plus receiving yards.

All of that said, 150-plus scrimmage yards is a huge number against anyone, let alone a defense of Kansas City's caliber. He cleared that number twice in his first four outings this season, but he's only eclipsed it twice since.

He has a chance to deliver his fifth such showing on the sport's biggest stage. The Niners should lean on him heavily, as he's the best playmaker in either offense. Plus, establishing the run early keeps San Francisco's full playbook in play and keeps Patrick Mahomes off the field. Not to mention, Kansas City's defense has been vulnerable against the run, ranking 18th in rushing yards allowed per game (113.2) and tied for 24th in yards per carry (4.5).

If McCaffrey can hit triple digits on the ground, he can do the rest of his damage as a pass-catcher. He's had at least 40 receiving yards seven times this season, including in the NFC Championship, when he caught four-of-five targets for 42 yards.

Bold Prediction: Travis Kelce Tallies 100-Plus Receiving Yards

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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 28: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs catches a pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter in the AFC Championship Game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Travis Kelce is one of the top tight ends in football. So, again, this bold prediction may not read as particularly bold upon first glance.

However, the 34-year-old is...well, 34 years old and kind of, sort of starting to show his age. His numbers are still loud, sure, but they don't hit the same volume they once did. He failed to post 1,000 receiving yards for the first time since 2015, his 10.6 yards per reception were the fewest of his career and his five touchdown grabs matched the second-fewest he's ever scored.

He is, in other words, not someone you can just pencil in for triple-digit receiving yards. And yet, he certainly has a chance to hit that mark in this game, just like he did his last time out, when he ripped the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship with 11 receptions (on 11 targets) for 116 yards and a score.

His chemistry with Patrick Mahomes is undeniable, and their ability to successfully go off-script is a huge part of what makes this offense so hard to handle. Mahomes might feel some heat against this San Francisco pass rush, so he might look for his safety blanket even more than normal. Kelce just might capitalize on all of the opportunities he gets, and there could be plenty of passes coming his way.

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