Category: Sports

Sometimes, CJ McCollum gives Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram advice. Oftentimes, McCollum keeps his thoughts to himself in hopes that his disciplined day-to-day regimen speaks loudly enough.

Not only has McCollum seen ongoing improvement this season with their collective chemistry through more continuity and better health. McCollum has become pleased both with how they respond to his feedback and how his training regimen have affected them.

CJ McCollum interview (Exclusive)

“It’s been cool to watch them figure out their own routines and get their own groove,” McCollum told Sportskeeda. “As I tell Z [Zion] all the time, ‘Just stack days.’ He’s doing that. I tell BI, he’s a guy that likes to work. But sometimes you got to rest. Rest your mind and rest your body. You’ll feel more rejuvenated.’ He’s been doing a good job with figuring out when to work out, when to get lifts in and when to rest. I’m just proud of their development and growth.”

McCollum spoke to Sportskeeda about his chemistry with Williamson and Ingram and his improved health and efficiency. He also shared his thoughts on never making an All-Star team and winning the NBA’s Community Assist award for his various community initiatives.

Editor’s note: The following one-on-one conversation has been edited and condensed.

How would you evaluate where the Pelicans are just before the All-Star break?

CJ McCollum:

“We’re in a pretty good spot. We’re eight games over .500. Guys are healthy. We played pretty well against good teams lately. With the All-Star break around the corner, we have a good chance to make up for some of our early-season losses and establish ourselves in the playoffs and stay out of the Play-In.”

What’s your comfort level with the group moving forward?

CJ McCollum:

“Everybody is happy with what we’ve been able to accomplish so far in terms of the fact that we had some injuries and had some things that happened to us this season. We’ve still been able to position ourselves well not only to make the playoffs, but potentially have some home games. But the top of the West is a beast, so you have to really take care of teams under .500 and steal games against teams that are over .500, especially on the road.

Health aside, what will it take for the Pelicans to make a deep playoff run?

CJ McCollum:

“Health is the biggest thing. We want to get as many games together as we can consistently with our core guys and that we can have practices together and having to execute down the stretch in games. All of that experience is important for later on in the season. The game is easier when your best players play. It’s chemistry, continuity and understanding where guys are going to be at. Then it’s also the practice reps, whether that’s going live, watching film or going through stuff. Having that dialogue and being able to be on that court and experience some of the things you talked about in walk through, it’s very helpful.”

In what ways have you seen growth in your two-man game with Zion and your three-man game with BI?

CJ McCollum:

“We’re all learning how to play off each other and figure out where we like the ball at, spaces, what sets to call and what types of action we can run to best utilize all of our skillsets. Then we’re having those discussions over dinners and things like that to figure out how to continue to be great for each other. I think that’s what it takes. Zion is obviously a very great player. BI is a great player. For me, it’s about picking my spots, spacing, knocking down shots and being able to lead when I need to lead.”

How do you think BI and Zion have grown this season?

CJ McCollum:

“They have a better understanding of their game and their bodies with what they need to do each day to be ready to play, when to rest and when to workout. Their IQ is continuing to improve as well as their decision making. They’re just playing their total games with scoring, rebounding and passing. Defensively, I think they have gotten better and have been more aggressive. The more they rebound on defense, the better we are on offense.”

Your numbers have been pretty efficient (19.4 points on 47.2% overall, career-high 43.7% from 3 and 4.6 assists per game) and it’s impacted winning. How do you think your game this season compares to your other 10 seasons?

CJ McCollum:

“It’s just me figuring out what the team needs and figuring out how to get better and improve in certain areas and utilizing my skillsets. I have a diverse skillset and am ready to play with different groups of people and with different teams. I’m being utilized in different ways. This season, I had to adjust my game with shooting more 3-pointers and moving off the ball more and my usage is the lowest it’s been since my second year in the league. So, I’m figuring out how to be impactful and how to do what’s necessary for our team. I think I’ve done that. I think that’s a credit to working hard, doing things the right way and treating people the right way.”

Griff [Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin] praised your offseason work. What did that look like compared to other summers?

CJ McCollum:

“I always work, man. I work every summer. I dedicate myself to my craft and sacrifice a lot for my family and everybody. This summer was the same. But the difference was that it was a longer summer because we lost so early. I rehabbed, and then I was in market. I didn’t have to move. I didn’t have a lot of stuff that I had to go through in the past summer. It was a stable environment for me. And we had an idea on what we wanted to accomplish conditioning wise and what we wanted to accomplish physically. I met my movement specialist, and we put a plan together to really attack our summer.

It was a lot of 3-pointers, a lot of conditioning and a lot of film. I’m happy with all that we were able to accomplish this summer. It’s transitioned well for me to be able to continue to have impact for my play on the court. It was pretty standard for me. Two-a-days and three-a-days. It was about understanding from a physical standpoint that I have rehab for my hand and shoulder a lot. There was a lot more weight-room stuff from a rehab standpoint instead of just lifting. We added in some VersaClimber. It was a standard summer for me with sled pushes, lots of shots and lots of cardio. I was in the gym working out two or three times a day. I watched film. That’s the same stuff I do every summer.

What’s the key to stay disciplined with all of those things, and to even relish it?

CJ McCollum:

“It’s about continuity. It’s about a schedule. It’s about challenging yourself and making goals. I look at the calendar and I plan my whole summer. I plan my off-days. I plan my workouts. I know when my two-a-days and my three-a-days are. I know when I’m going on family vacation. I got a really good team around me that helps me with organizing and structure my life in a way that’s efficient for me and efficient for what I care about most, and that is family, God and basketball.”

You’ve always been known as a pro for your whole career. But were there any significant turning points for you that made you realize why that structure is so important for you?

CJ McCollum:

“Basketball has always been the priority. But then you start having kids and having a family. Then you figure out how to do both things. When you get married, you figure out how to balance it. But I’ve always put the work first in terms of preparation and in terms of off-court activities. Work is always first. That’s how I provide and make a living for my family. So, I structure everything around that.”

BI has found it helpful with observing your regimen with how you take care of your body. What intentions do you have with trying to have your routine indirectly impacting the group?

CJ McCollum:

“That’s everything. More than my leadership vocally, they’re watching me on how I prepare each day and the consistency of my work, the consistency of my approach and the timing in which I do stuff. They can see, ‘He’s really on a schedule every day and has an understanding with what he wants to do.’ I’m still a father. I still have kids. I’m still married. But I’m still able to dedicate the right time to be good at those things. That shows, more than anything, that you can do other things, have other interests and still be successful at your sport as long as you dedicate the proper times. It’s been cool to watch them figure out their own routines and get their own groove. As I tell Z, all the time, ‘Just stack days.’ He’s doing that. I tell BI, he’s a guy that likes to work. But sometimes you got to rest. Rest your mind and rest your body. You’ll feel more rejuvenated.’ He’s been doing a good job with figuring out when to work out, when to get lifts in and when to rest. I’m just proud of their development and growth, and hope I can make a small impact in their lives in terms of giving them gems that I wish I had when I was their age.”

You had your partnership with Dame [Damian Lillard] in Portland. But who were the vets and players you admired from afar that helped with that?

CJ McCollum:

“My brother was very influential in my life in my development. I had Mo Williams, Dorell Wright, Chris Kaman, Steve Blake, Earl Watson. I had a lot of good vets, so I can’t complain. Dame is my guy. I understand the relationship with him is different than the relationships I have with these guys due to their age. But I try to be as impactful as possible and be authentic in myself and leave this place better than where I found it. That’s the goal.”

You’ve always been about winning. But considering your body of work, how have you viewed not making an All-Star team yet?

CJ McCollum:

“Nah, the league is very competitive. There are a lot of great players. Somebody has to get the short end of the stick every year. Unfortunately, that’s the way it goes. A lot of good players don’t make it sometimes. For me, it’s been about playing at a high level and being consistent and impacting winning. I think I’m getting the best out of my talent, and I’m maximizing my skillset and my ability and my opportunities.”

To what extent has that at least been an individual goal, though?

CJ McCollum:

“You always want to be considered amongst the elite in your craft. I would say it’s definitely been a goal of mine since I was a kid. But it’s really just about maximizing your talents. I’m 32 years old. Those things don’t really bother me.”

I understand you’re going to launch a “Dream Center,” What can you share on what you’re doing with that?

CJ McCollum:

“I have partnered with the Boys and Girls Clubs, and we have ‘Dream Centers’ in Oregon and we’re doing our first one in Louisiana. We should be done next month. I’m excited about that. There will be improvements from a technology standpoint, computers, culturally relevant books and providing opportunities for coding. We bring in guest speakers, people from different walks of life and professionals to teach and implement things that they haven’t been exposed to before. We provide different services and resources. We’re doing an outdoor library with a ‘Take a book; leave a book’ type of thing. We have a little garden. We’re making improvements amongst the community and spaces that are important to the kids that allow them to have safe spaces to learn, grow and evolve.

What do you expect this to accomplish overall?

CJ McCollum:

“I think it’s just creating a safe space for kids to learn and grow and creating opportunities for kids to be exposed to things they normally wouldn’t be exposed to and improving some of the areas and neighborhoods that really need it.”

I read about your new college scholarship program. You’ve also done things to help with juvenile justice system, food backs and youth journalism programs. Where does winning the NBA’s Community Assist award this season rank to your playing accomplishments?

CJ McCollum:

“It’s meaningful, it’s impactful and it’s showing that I’m making a difference in my community and I’m impacting lives. I’m trying to take advantage of some of the gifts that God has given me and some of the things that I’ve been exposed to. Those things mean the most to me with being able to leave the world a better place than when I found it. That’s extremely important to me. The end goals are picking things that I’m passionate about and that I care about and figure out ways to impact those sectors, whether it’s in education, criminal justice reform and juvenile justice. I’m really just figuring out how I can make an impact in those areas. Those are areas that have either impacted my life or the people around me. That’s really been my mentality, find an interest and figure out strategically how to attack those interests.”

Mark Medina is an NBA insider for Sportskeeda. Follow him on X, Instagram, Facebook and Threads.

LAS VEGAS — Live updates from the Super Bowl in Las Vegas:

Cheifs-49ers first Super Bowl to use new OT rules

The first use of the NFL’s new overtime rule comes in the Super Bowl.

No longer can the team that gets the ball first win it immediately with a touchdown. Both teams must posses the ball.

Butker makes late field goal, forces OT

Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker forced overtime with a 29-yard field goal with 3 seconds left to make the score 19-19.

It’s familiar territory for Kyle Shanahan.

The 49ers coach was part of the only other OT game in Super Bowl history when he was the Falcons’ offensive coordinator seven years ago. That was the 28-3 blown lead to the Patriots.

Moody makes amends with go-ahead kick

Jake Moody became the first kicker to make two 50-plus field goals in a Super Bowl –- and this one might be enough to give the 49ers the Super Bowl.

His 53-yarder with 1:53 left gave San Francisco a 19-16 lead. Moody made up for a missed extra point.

But Patrick Mahomes will get the ball. He’s shown what he can do in 13 seconds. Mahomes will have a lot more time now.

Chiefs stall in red zone, settle for tying field goal in 4th

Big stop for the 49ers.

They kept the Chiefs out of the end zone even though they had first-and-goal at the 4, forcing a tying field goal with 5:46 left.

Both teams have missed opportunities, so in that way, it’s kind of evened out.

Now Brock Purdy can shed the quarterback-manager label or Patrick Mahomes will add to his extraordinary legacy.

Stay tuned.

Brock Purdy’s TD pass puts 49ers ahead 16-13 in 4th quarter

49ers coach Kyle Shanahan went for it.

All Niners fans probably couldn’t believe it when he eschewed a field goal on fourth-and-3 early in the fourth quarter and converted it. San Francisco scored a touchdown to take a 16-13 lead.

16-13?

The extra point was blocked, keeping the Chiefs within three. Could be huge.

San Francisco’s Jauan Jennings joined Nick Foles as the only players to throw a touchdown pass and catch one in a Super Bowl. Foles did it six years ago for the Eagles against the Patriots.

Brock Purdy needs another comeback win

49ers QB Brock Purdy is hoping to pull off his third playoff victory in a row while trailing in the second half.

He led the Niners on a late touchdown drive to beat the Packers and then erased a 24-7 halftime deficit to beat the Lions in the NFC championship.

The 49ers enter the fourth quarter against the Chiefs down 13-10, but are at Kansas City’s 42.

49ers have believers in the ‘books

The 49ers entered the fourth quarter trailing 13-10, but sportsbooks still believe in them. FanDuel Sportsbook made the Niners 1 1/2-point favorites after the end of the third quarter.

Mahomes, Chiefs finally connect, take 13-10 lead

One play after the 49ers had a punt bounce off one of their players and get recovered by Kansas City, Patrick Mahomes lofted a 16-yard pass to Marquez Valdes-Scantling in the end zone to give the Chiefs a 13-10 lead in the Super Bowl.

Valdes-Scantling was almost universally loathed by Chiefs fans for much of the season. He dropped several passes at crucial moments, including one that may have cost them a game. And considering he was the highest-paid wide receiver on a group that struggled all season, he became an easy target for failing to live up to his contract.

But he had a big catch against Baltimore to help put away the AFC title game, and now has an even bigger one in the Super Bowl.

San Francisco regretting missed chances

The 49ers had their chances to put away the Chiefs.

They might soon really regret it.

A punt bounced off the Niners’ Darrell Luter’s leg, and Kansas City’s Jaylen Watson recovered at San Francisco’s 16.

One play later, the Chiefs took their first lead of the game.

You can’t hand any team, but especially a Super Bowl champion, those kinds of breaks.

KC’s defense locks down in third quarter

Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce are the headliners, but the Chiefs are in the Super Bowl largely because of their defense.

And did it show up in the third quarter.

They forced three 49ers three-and-outs, holding San Francisco to 3 yards.

Quarterback Brock Purdy is 4 for 12 for 17 yards since the start of the second quarter. Those game-management criticisms aren’t going away.

One bit of good news for SF: Deebo Samuel is back after limping earlier with a hamstring issue.

Chiefs make record 57-yard field goal, trail 49ers 10-6

Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker made a 57-yard field goal with 5:01 left in the third quarter, breaking a Super Bowl record from… two quarters ago.

Jake Moody’s 55-yarder to open the scoring had been the longest in Super Bowl history, topping a 54-yarder by Buffalo’s Steve Christie.

The kick came moments after a shirtless fan ran onto the field during a third-and-11.

Beyoncé teases new music in Super Bowl ad

Beyoncé is…. Back?

After a Verizon commercial starring Beyoncé aired during the Super Bowl ended with the superstar saying “They ready, drop the new music,” the question became — was she serious?

Later, a cryptic Instagram video with country iconography appeared on her page, teasing “act ii” on March 29. Beyoncé’s 2022 album “Renassiance” is frequently referred to as “Act I: Renaissance.”

49ers’ Samuel limps off with hamstring injury

49ers receiver Deebo Samuel limped off the field early in the third quarter of the Super Bowl.

San Francisco said it was a left hamstring injury and his return is questionable.

The Niners’ do-everything receiver went down on a third-down pass on San Francisco’s second drive of the third quarter. Trainers came out to attend to him before walking off under his own power. He went briefly to the injury tent.

The 49ers have struggled this season when Samuel has been hurt. They lost three straight games in October when he hurt his shoulder and struggled for most of a divisional round win against Green Bay after he hurt his other shoulder on the opening drive.

After Usher thrills, 49ers-Chiefs a slog in second half

Well, there was Usher. And Alicia Keys.

But not so much to see after halftime.

The Super Bowl is the NFL’s premier event, but the 49ers and Chiefs are playing like it’s the second game of the preseason. Penalties, punts and turnovers. Not exactly what the league wanted for the first big game in Las Vegas.

At least there were the multiple cutaways on the stadium screens to Taylor Swift.

Review: Usher delivers timeless, well-known hits

Usher emerged at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium for the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show seated on a throne, joined by a marching band and a trove of Vegas performers — but stayed its center.

It was an immediate confirmation of his position as the ideal halftime performer: one with timeless, well-known hits, masterful choreography, and a devoted audience, AP’s Music Writer Maria Sherman writes in her review.

What’s it like performing at halftime?

Suwasit Ritthiphon, clad in silver and black, was one of hundreds of people partying on the field during the halftime show. A longtime fan of Usher, Ritthiphon, 43, said he couldn’t believe his luck when his application for a spot on the field was accepted.

“My heart was beating. It was exciting,” he said, flashing a smile. He described the experience of running through the tunnel and onto the field as “an opportunity of a lifetime.”

Usher rocks Vegas with help from Lil Jon, Ludacris

A steady stream of stars joined Usher during his 13-minute halftime show. H.E.R. took the field with a guitar solo, and he made a costume change into a purple and black sparkling suit with roller skates, which he used to glide in circles around the stage.

Lil Jon joined, starting with a rousing snippet of his “Turn Down for What” before Usher’s biggest, hit, “Yeah,” began blaring on the stadium speakers.

Lil Jon and Ludacris – with shoulder pads and big afro – recreated their roles on Usher’s 2004 recording of the song from the midfield stage as the R&B star danced amid a bedazzled crowd to close the show.

Alicia Keys, H.E.R. join Usher for halftime show

Alicia Keys joined Usher as a surprise guest during his halftime show, singing her “If I Ain’t Got You” while standing at a midfield piano that looked like a red hunk of abstract sculpture.

She then stood up and entangled with Usher as they sang their duet “My Boo,” with her dressed in sparkling red and in contrast with his sparkling white. The singer shed his shirt soon after.

Usher was also joined by a marching band on the field as he raced through both dance and slow jams including “U Don’t Have to Call.”

Usher opens halftime show in Vegas style

Usher has kicked off his halftime show in Vegas style – surrounded by a field full of showgirls and other showy dancers, he shed an extravagant feather cape as he stepped from a stage onto the field while singing his 2004 hit “Caught.”

It’s the first song in a medley of many from the R&B star as he tries to squeeze highlights from a 30-year career into 13 minutes.

Patrick Mahomes, the king of comebacks

Be careful about betting against Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

He is 7-1 in playoff games over the past five seasons after trailing by at least seven points.

All other QBs? They are 12-55.

The Chiefs are 4 1/2-point underdogs going into the second half, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

No turf drama

One story of the first half was a nonstory.

Players didn’t slide around on the field as if it was ice like they did in last season’s Super Bowl in Glendale, Arizona.

Of course, that was before halftime when hundreds of fans danced on the turf as Usher performed.

Chiefs trail 49ers 10-3 at halftime, but comebacks are a specialty

This is why the Chiefs deferred after winning the coin toss.

KC trails 10-3 but will get the ball first to start the second half, giving them a chance to double up after finally getting on the scoreboard late in the second quarter with Harrison Butker’s 28-yarder.

The Chiefs are quite comfortable coming from behind. They have rallied from double-digit deficits to win two Super Bowls, including against San Francisco four years ago.

Patrick Mahomes has trailed in all four Super Bowls by double digits, yet he is 2-1.

The 49ers were the better team for most of the first half, but the combination of the Chiefs mounting a scoring drive and San Francisco blowing earlier opportunities to score has made this a game.

Andra Day all smiles after pregame performance

After Andra Day finished her Super Bowl pregame performance, the soul singer’s nerves are still getting the best of her.

The Grammy winner was all smiles after she performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing” ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers championship game Sunday at Allegiant Stadium.

“I’m excited but still feeling some nervousness,” said Day, who was a pregame performer along with Reba McEntire and Post Malone. McEntire sung the national anthem and Malone performed “America the Beautiful.”

Day said she’s happy with her performance, and relieved it’s over. She said her experience on the field was a “blur.”

“The trick is not to look at people’s faces,” she said. “I just see this one big blur. If I was to see faces, I would flip out.”

KC lucky to be within a score

The Chiefs are fortunate to be trailing 10-3 at halftime of the Super Bowl after making the same silly mistakes that caused them to lose five of eight games midway through the season.

The AFC champions were penalized five times for 50 yards. They fumbled three times but were lucky to lose only one of them. Justin Watson dropped a long pass for the team that led the NFL in drops this season. And there have been so many blown assignments up front that Patrick Mahomes, who is rarely sacked, has been brought down twice already.

The Chiefs get the ball to start the second half after winning the coin toss and deferring, and Andy Reid is one of the best coaches in the NFL at making halftime adjustments. But unless his players start to execute, nothing that Reid says or does in the locker room will matter.

Chiefs get field goal, but frustration mounting

The Chiefs are on the board with a 28-yard field goal from Harrison Butker with 20 seconds left before halftime.

The 49ers have done a nice job on Travis Kelce so far — even in the red zone, where he and the Chiefs are often so effective.

Kelce only has one catch for 1 yard on the day. On that last third down from the San Francisco 9, he lined up in the slot and was covered by safety Ji’Ayir Brown. Kelce appeared to swing an arm in frustration when Patrick Mahomes was taken down before being able to throw.

49ers get TD off trick play, lead 10-0

The San Francisco 49ers got tricky for the first touchdown of the Super Bowl.

Coach Kyle Shanahan dialed up a rare trick play that led to a TD pass from receiver Jauan Jennings to running back Christian McCaffrey.

Brock Purdy started the play with a lateral to the left side to Jennings, who immediately threw it back to the other side to McCaffrey, who had a convoy of blockers and ran in for a 21-yard TD to put San Francisco up 10-0.

McCaffrey has tied an NFL record with his seventh straight playoff game with at least 50 yards from scrimmage and a TD.

San Francisco has moved to a 7 1/2-point favorite on FanDuel’s live line after the spread was a good bit closer at the start of the game.

Taylor Swift chugs a drink, draws big applause

There has been plenty of Taylor Swift on the big screens of Allegiant Stadium, and during the last timeout, cameras caught her in a race to chug what appeared to be a beer in her suite.

Swift was the first to finish, and she triumphantly slammed the cup down as the video cut away to other fans. But not before an appreciative roar rippled through the stadium.

If only the Chiefs were able to move the ball as successfully as she downed her drink. Their offense has gone nowhere in the first half of their Super Bowl showdown with the 49ers.

‘Bennifer’ is back for Super Bowl ad

“Bennifer” has teamed up with Dunkin for a second Super Bowl in a row.

In an ad for the Massachusetts-based chain, Ben Affleck enlists Matt Damon, Tom Brady and more to visit Jennifer Lopez at work and give a “DunKings” performance full of Boston pride. Rappers Jack Harlow and Fat Joe also make an appearance in the celebrity-filled commercial.

49ers’ Dre Greenlaw injures Achilles tendon running onto field

49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw was carted to the locker room midway through the second quarter after injuring his left Achilles tendon in a bizarre moment.

He began to sprint onto the field for the start of a defensive possession when he stumbled, fell and needed medical attention.

Greenlaw already had made an impact in this game with three tackles when he went out.

Travis Kelce bumps into, yells at Andy Reid

Travis Kelce bumped into coach Andy Reid and yelled at him after teammate Isiah Pacheco’s red-zone fumble in the second quarter. Frustration is clearly building for KC, which still trails 3-0.

From SNL to Super Bowl Sunday

In an ad for Hellmann’s, Kate McKinnon makes an unusual discovery: her cat can talk. Well, sort of. Her furry friend can say one word, “may-ow” — which skyrockets her to celebrity status and causes a mayonnaise-buying frenzy. The “Mayo Cat” becomes so famous that she even dates (and soon dumps) Pete Davidson.

49ers-Chiefs a defensive struggle so far

For all the talk of stars Patrick Mahomes, Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey and Travis Kelce, it’s defenses that have had the edge early in the Super Bowl. The teams have combined for one score on the first six drives.

Kansas City looked to be on the verge of a breakthrough when Mahomes connected on a 53-yard pass to Mecole Hardman to get the Chiefs to the 9. But Isiah Pacheco lost a fumble on the next play with Javon Hargrave recovering.

Kansas City had gained only 16 yards in the first quarter and now has gone nine straight possessions in the postseason without a point, dating to the AFC title game.

San Francisco has had its own issues with McCaffrey losing a fumble on the opening drive and Trent Williams committing two penalties to stall the second possession.

49ers’ Moody kicks record 55-yard f
ield goal, SF leads 3-0

Jake Moody made a Super Bowl-record 55-yard field goal just 12 seconds into the second quarter to put the San Francisco 49ers on top 3-0.

Buffalo’s Steve Christie held the record with a 54-yarder against Dallas in Super Bowl 28.

This could be a confidence booster for Moody, who missed field goals in the past two playoff games.

49ers getting in their own way

The 49ers are their own worst enemies midway through the first quarter. Christian McCaffrey fumbled on their first drive, and then San Francisco lost yardage on three consecutive plays — two penalties and a run by Deebo Samuel.

Then as the 49ers were about to punt, they were penalized another 5 yards because of a false start.

That kept the game scoreless even though the Niners have outgained the Kansas City Chiefs 84-6 in yardage.

49ers’ strong opening drive spoiled by McCaffrey fumble

San Francisco opened the game with an impressive drive but wasted the opportunity to score when Christian McCaffrey fumbled at Kansas City’s 27-yard line.

Leo Chenal knocked the ball out of McCaffrey’s hands, and fellow Chief George Karlaftis recovered.

The Chiefs had a turnover ratio of minus-11 in the regular season, among the NFL’s worst.

This is the fourth time since 2000 that the game’s opening drive ended in a turnover.

The Chiefs didn’t do anything with the turnover, going three-and-out. That ended a streak of eight straight playoff games in which Kansas City scored on its opening possession, an NFL record.

‘He Gets Us,’ Dove and M&M’s among early ads

“He Gets Us” returned to the Super Bowl again this year. The campaign, which is backed by a group of wealthy Christian donors, aired an ad with the message, “Jesus didn’t teach hate. He washed feet,” in the first quarter of the game.

Other early ads:

Dove’s ad begins seemingly whimsically showing young girls having mishaps playing sports to the tune of “It’s a Hard Knock Life.” But the ad cuts starkly to a girl looking self-consciously in the mirror. The message: low body-confidence leads to girls quitting sports, not the mishaps.

Hall of Famers Dan Marino, Bruce Smith and Terrell Owens never got a Super Bowl ring, but M&M’s and Scarlett Johansson present them with “Almost Champions” rings in a Super Bowl ad.

Gronk misses wide-right

In a pregame promotion for gambling site FanDuel, NFL legend Rob Gronkowski missed a 25-yard field goal for a second year in a row.

That means fans who bet against Gronkowski are set to win a share of $10 million in FanDuel Bonus Bets.

Chiefs win the toss

A huge roar went up when Kansas City won the toss. Either Chiefs fans felt that was unusually crucial in this game — or a lot of people had bet on heads.

KC deferred its choice to the second half, meaning the 49ers get the ball first.

Reba sails through national anthem

Reba McEntire made quick but majestic work of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

The “Queen of Country” sang the national anthem moments before kickoff, backed by a recorded track of a country band with a horn section. Flag-bearing service members stood behind her, a huge U.S. flag covered most of the field, and military jets flew over Allegiant Stadium as she sang.

She got through the song in about 1 minute 40 seconds. That’s a good 10 seconds longer than the over-under from oddsmakers, but still the quickest version of the anthem at the Super Bowl since Kelly Clarkson sang it 12 years ago.

In a week when love, affection and adoration is being showered extensively there is one man who is not feeling quite as cherished as he had hoped, writes Gail Davies.

Mauricio Pochettino’s wife of 30-plus years, he says with a smile, has “abandoned” him on Valentine’s Day for a trip to Spain to see their son.

The Chelsea head coach joked that before she made her decision to go “she said to me if you have some nice presents I’ll stay, and I said no it’s ok you can go and see your son.”

He laughs, taking his apparent rejection well, ahead of Crystal Palace’s visit to Chelsea on Monday Night Football.

We continue on the February 14 theme and I talk about the love of the Chelsea fans and the fondness they have shown to the recent managers. They revered Jose Mourinho, treasured Thomas Tuchel and it might have been a shorter fling, but Antonio Conte got their hearts fluttering.

Are you beginning to feel that love yet I ask? The jovial mood shifts quickly as Pochettino replies: “No, no, I need to be honest with you, no because I understand they were winning the Champions League, they won cups, the Premier League. Why are the fans going to love me after six, seven months?

“We are in a final but we are not in a good position in the table in the Premier League. I think at the moment I feel the respect from the fans, I see them on the street and they all nice to me, but I cannot lie.”

Maybe it is still to come I say. “we’ll see” adds the Chelsea head coach. Those two words give you a sense of the enormity of the job Pochettino and his coaching staff know they have ahead of them.

You can only imagine the extreme emotions they have all experienced over the last few days. The crushing defeat at home to Wolves in the league and the heavy criticism and pressure that followed the result, before a performance Pochettino describes as “one of the best of the season” against Aston Villa in the FA Cup to see them into the fifth round.

Did you think over the last few days why did I do this I ask. Pochettino has no doubts.

“I think when I decided to be a coach I thought this situation would happen so we are prepared to deal with it,” he says. “You build in your mind the idea but the reality is always different.

“I always try to keep a balance knowing football is like this, the pressure of high to down to high again. We need to provide the players with an environment that is calm. We cannot go with the reference of the fans and the people and the media. We need to stay away from that. We need to perform and play and feel fresh.”

He admits the days after that Wolves loss were hard. Pochettino says he doesn’t feel the pressure and stress himself but it is absorbed by those friends and family around him, especially in the modern world where social media can be so brutal.

“My mood does not change,” he says. “I am in control, my life doesn’t change, I’m not going to change the way I think or how I perceive things. The most important thing to remember is that if you don’t win games, it’s normal to hear some noise and three days later you get another chance.

“The Aston Villa game showed the team is alive, we are alive, we played together and we care about each other. The players had good concepts and managed them well in different areas and we have talent. In three days what did we do, what did we change, sometimes it’s more mental. The situation we are in is because we are a young team, we have young players, the balance is good but we have young players and they have to realise how we need to prepare for every single game in every competition.”

They aren’t just young players, but they are young players worth millions of pounds on very long contracts that have been assembled from across the globe. It’s a different formula than Pochettino is used to and at times the frustration is visible in games as he tries to mould his vision.

Has he had to change his approach, particularly with the criticism that he and Chelsea have become a bit too nice?

“I always think it is about reading the situation and listening to other coaches and you need to evolve. The kids are not the same as 20 years ago. It’s easy to come here and be very tough and shout and talk and say things that maybe make me feel good because I can shout and scream, but I think it has zero impact on the player.

“I think you need to touch, unlock, talk. I put them in front of a mirror and say look what do you want to see, in which way do I see you, I need you to show me that you can improve and learn and do this thing in a different way. It’s so important today being a coach you have to have knowledge about football, tactics and everything and we are also fathers, friends, and professional psychologist.

“It’s so important how you approach a group and players. It’s quite a unique project here, when you change the project and try and create something you always try and find a way to tackle problems. I think young players need to adapt and deal with the pressure and perception that the fans have when you pay that much money and the amount you earn. Sometimes you need a few months, sometimes you need a year. There are a lot of situations here like that. It’s a massive job you can’t put them all in a dressing room and the magic just happens. We need to work and we’re working really hard, and maybe people find it difficult to appreciate it. It feels that for sure in the future we are going to benefit.”

Pochettino says Nicholas Jackson is one of those players who have benefitted from a little time and patience. He marked his return from AFCON with a goal against Villa, and another who shone was Enzo Fernandez one of those big-money players Chelsea bought in last year’s January shopping spree. The free kick he scored was special and the celebration was pretty eye catching too. Fernandez held up his shirt in celebration as if to hit back at reports he was seeking a way out of the club.

Do you have to make him angry to get that level of performance from him, I ask the Chelsea head coach. He replies: “Enzo after one year and a few months has started to understand what it means to play for Chelsea. What it means to live here in London and be in the Premier League. The quality is there, he’s amazing and yes maybe he needs to play with this feeling but that is how you find your balance as a player. When you are young you need to improve to try to do things, but it’s not a magic touch, it’s about talking, understanding, training and repeating.”

Repeating being the key message, along with finding consistency to match the level they displayed at Villa. Perhaps the biggest compliment came from Roy Keane on TV duty who said they looked like the “Chelsea of old” in the way they dominated the game, showed hunger and character and had a real edge.

It is what Pochettino needs to see from his side when they travel to Selhurst Park. The Villa result was even more surprising given their away record this season. In the league, they have managed just four wins away from Stamford Bridge.

What Pochettino can be guaranteed of at Selhurst Park is a warm welcome from Roy Hodgson. In the absence of too much appreciation and love elsewhere it seems this week there will be plenty on display after the game. The two managers are good friends having met a decade or so ago when Hodgson was in charge of England and Pochettino was at Southampton. They often speak and text real life stuff not just football and Pochettino’s admiration of the Palace manager is clear when I ask what he likes about him.

“Everything, it is difficult to say I love this or that,” Pochettino says. “I love everything about him he’s a great man, good values, as a coach just stop he is amazing. I think it’s unbelievable to have him involved in the Premier League.”

Pochettino isn’t aware of the pressure that Hodgson is under, the banners from the fans that have lost patience with the regime. And he goes on to wish him every success, clarifying with a smile that it’s after Monday only.

Chelsea vs Crystal Palace in the Premier League is live on Monday Night Football; kick-off 8pm.

Why Play Aviator at Parimatch?

Parimatch is one of the most popular,reputable and legal betting sites in India. It is an exciting site for new and old players. Let’s find out why you should choose Parimatch to play Aviator. 

Parimatch has a user-friendly website design. So, players will not find it difficult to browse through the platform and find what they are looking for. The Aviator game is located on the homepage of the site and loads quickly. 

You will have to spend a few minutes to complete the registration process. Once you register, you can log in from your mobile, too using the same login credentials. 

Parimatch Casino offers different types of bonuses. You can take advantage of these bonuses to increase your bankroll and play Aviator. These bonuses come with favourable terms and conditions. There is a Parimatch welcome bonus for new players registering on the platform and reload bonuses for returning players. 

Another factor that Parimatch the ideal platform to play Aviator is its license and certifications. The site has a license from the Government of Curacao. It guarantees that the online casino is operating legally and adheres to strict laws and regulations to keep its players safe. 

Moreover, Parimatch uses an SSL encryption system to ensure that the details you are sharing with the site are safe and don’t land in the hands of hackers or third-party sites. Hence, you do not have to worry about sharing your personal and financial details. 

Related Article: Is Parimatch legit?

Nothing’s more frustrating than selecting an online casino that doesn’t offer banking methods that are safe and you are comfortable with. However, that is something that you do not have to worry about when you choose Parimatch to play Aviator. 

At Parimatch, you will find a wide range of banking options, including credit/debit cards, bank transfers, prepaid cards, e-wallets, and cryptocurrencies. Moreover, Parimatch doesn’t charge you additional money for the deposits and withdrawals you make. 

Payouts at online casinos are easy. It takes only up to 24 hours to process your withdrawal request. So, you don’t have to wait for your wins to be transferred to your casino account. 

Related Article: Parimatch Phonepe Deposit

Gamblers these days, like playing games on the go. This is the reason Parimatch has been made mobile-compatible. You can open the site on your preferred mobile browser to play games on the go. 

Moreover, Parimatch also has a dedicated mobile app for iOS and Android users. You can download it. The Parimatch app is as user-friendly as the website. So, to play Aviation at Parimatch on the go, you need an internet connection on your mobile device. 

• Fast and Responsive Customer Support

Parimatch is known to customers for its fast and helpful customer support. No matter whether you have queries about the bonuses, operation of the site, deposit or withdrawals, or the game not running, you can reach out to the support team. 

Parimatch offers faster and better customer support. Moreover, customer support on the site is available 24/7. The support executives are friendly and helpful. But you can also talk to them through email. You can send your complaints and questions and wait for a few hours to receive a response. 

At times, the multiplier in the Aviation game reaches 100,000 or even more. Moreover, each result in the game is fair. It is verified through the Provably Fair algorithm. It ensures that the outcomes are fair and random and aren’t influenced by any factor. 

Aviator rounds on Parimatch take around 30 seconds. Surely, these are cases when you have to wait for ten minutes to get the results. However, this happens very rarely. Thus, Aviator Parimatch is great for those who want to play some faster rounds as you are going to spend a lot of playing. 

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How to Play Parimatch Aviator?

You can start playing Aviator Parimatch for real money through the website or mobile app. The steps to start playing are easy. Let’s take a look at these steps. 

• Go to the official site of Parimatch and click on ‘Registration’. 

 

• It will open the sign-up page where you will where you will have to register by entering a few details. When you are done, log in using your login credentials. 
• Make a deposit using one of your preferred banking methods. 
• Next, open the Instant Games tab given in the header and choose Aviator in the Top Games subcategory. 
• If it is the first time you are playing Aviator, watch the rounds or activate the demo mode to get familiar with the game. 
• Insert the amount you would like to bet and confirm it. Also, you have the option to choose to auto-bet with a pre-determined betting amount. 
• If you are successful in winning, the amount will be credited to your account. As the game is fast-paced, the rounds generally take 10-20 seconds. 

Related Article: Parimatch Registration 

Parimatch Aviator Game Overview

Name	Aviator
Welcome Bonus	150% Welcome Bonus up to ₹20,000
Released	2019
Software Provider	Spribe
Entertainment Type	Crash Game
RTP	97%
Minimum Bet	₹10
Maximum Bet Amount	₹8000
Demo Version	Yes

The Aviator Game Rules

The Aviator game algorithm is easy to understand and transparent for gamblers. That makes it more attractive to them. The game is based on Provably Fair technology. It means that it is almost impossible for third parties to interfere during the process.

Let’s take a look at the basic rules and principles of the Aviator game. 

• The co-efficient begins with the value of 1x and keeps growing throughout the round. 
• All wagers should be placed before the round begins. 
• No wagers are accepted while in flight. 
• When the plane takes off, the odds rise and so do your winnings. 
• The primary aim of the game is to withdraw your wins before the plane flies away. 
• If you prefer to withdraw in time, you will lose money. 
• The odds can reach three digits in each round. 
• Winning is the value of the wager amount multiplied by the odds during the time of withdrawal. 
• There is an auto-betting feature that lets you automate the process and wager the same amount as in previous rounds. 
• The auto-withdrawal feature lets you withdraw your wins when you reach the odds you decide on. 
• The minimum wager amount is ₹10, while the maximum wager amount is ₹8000. 

Aviator Game Features

Many Aviator game features make it stand out from the rest. Let’s take a look at the features. 

At any point during wagering, you can add an added second bet along with the initial one. It will serve as two separate bets and it can cashed out at any time you want and set to different values.

While playing the game, you can check out the leaderboards to check out a range of features, including the biggest multipliers, biggest wins, and all your wagers made in every round. 

You can access the game’s statistics feature at any point during playing to check the results if up to the last 60 rounds played. 

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Parimatch Aviator Demo Version

Parimatch Aviator has a demo version and you can make the most of it. There are many compelling reasons to try out the Parimatch Aviator demo version.

• The demo version of Aviator lets beginners learn the mechanics and rules of the game without taking on the financial risk. You can explore the interface of the game through the demo version and understand how bets are placed. You will notice how the multiplier increases without really investing real money. 
• Use the demo version to practice different tactics and strategies. Hone your skills try out different betting approaches and fine-tune your gameplay. As there is no real money involved, you can test your ideas and redefine your game strategy. 
• Try out the Auto Cash Out feature in the demo version. Set a certain multiplier value and the game will let you withdraw your bets automatically when the plane attains that multiplier. There is no need to depend on your reflexes, let the game do it for you. 

Parimatch Aviator – FAQs

Is the Aviator Game Available on Parimatch?

Yes, the Aviator game is available on Parimatch. The game is available both in the demo and real money mode. If you want to play the game in the demo version at Parimatch, register and find the game in the ‘crash’ section. 

Can You Play Aviator for Free on Parimatch?

Yes, you can play Aviator on Parimatch. For this, you will have to access the demo version. To play the demo game, you have to log into the Parimatch Casino account. The free mode lets you understand how the game works without investing real money. 

Is the Aviator Game on Parimatch Real or Fake?

The Aviator game available on Parimatch is real. However, there is a demo version that lets you play risk-free. You can use the demo game to get familiar with the game. 

Is it Possible to Win Money Playing Aviator with Parimatch?

Yes, it is possible to real money by playing Aviator on Parimatch. However, you must approach the game with a strategic mind-set. Also, you need to make sure that you are gambling responsibly. 

When Is the Best Time to Play Parimatch Aviator?

The best time to play Aviator depends on different factors, such as time of the day, player traffic, game volatility, and risk levels. Nevertheless, you should also know that these factors don’t guarantee the player’s success. The results in the game are determined by Random Number Generator.

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What football is teaching us is that Nigerians love their country. Winning with the Super Eagles and the passion that Nigerians have displayed in support of the national team is a lesson in patriotism.

Suddenly, no one remembers where we come from or how we worship. Tribe and tongue did not play any role in team selection because they are not important. This is not downplaying the value of diversity, equity and inclusion. However, what is important as we have discovered with the current squad, is that it is better to always put our best eleven players forward.

That is what the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and the coaching crew led by Jose Peseiro, the 63-year-old Portuguese, have done. Winning was what mattered. Kudos to them.

Football is a huge cultural phenomenon and intoxicating opium in many countries. When the national team is doing well, people tend to forget their differences and unite behind the team. Everyone shares in the success story. In the age of social media, national team success gives the people bragging rights over other countries.

Also Read: Super Eagles Must Win For Kayode Tijani

Winning the African Cup of Nations at this time is a big deal for Nigerians. This tournament which began on January 13 has been a useful distraction. If we lift the trophy tonight, it will be the fourth time. Nigeria has taken part in the tournament 20 times, but we have won the cup only three times.

The first time was in 1980 in Lagos; the second time was in 1994 in Tunis, Tunisia while the third time was in 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The most decorated country is Egypt which has claimed seven AFCON titles – including a hat trick between 2006 and 2010.

When tournament favourites such as the defending champions, Senegal, Egypt and Morocco crashed out, it brightened the chances of the Super Eagles. But no one reckoned with the fact that the Ivorians would bounce back forcefully after their poor group stage performances.

They are now our opponents in the much anticipated final. Home support has been touted as an advantage for the Elephants, but that will not be a problem for the Super Eagles who understand how to rise up to big occasions.

Cote d’Ivoire had home support when they lost 1 – 0 to Nigeria and 4 – 0 to Equatorial Guinea in the group phase. Top players do not allow home support affect their performances.

The Super Eagles’ preparation was like most of the other teams in the tournament because of the Europe-based players. They didn’t have much time together before AFCON 2023 and had to deal with injuries.

Taiwo Awoniyi was ruled out before the squad was announced while Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Boniface, and Sadiq Umar needed to be replaced with Alhassan Yusuf, Terem Moffi and Paul Onuachu respectively.

In this tournament, the Super Eagles started slowly and it was not surprising. They always appeared tentative right from the qualifying rounds.

I watched the 2026 World Cup Qualifier that the Super Eagles played against Lesotho at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on November 16, last year. The match ended in 1 – 1 draw after Lesotho had gone ahead earlier. The home fans were disappointed.

Although the Super Eagles played a 1 – 1 draw against Equatorial Guinea in their opening game in AFCON 2023 (a predictable pattern), they have won every match since then, with their progress built on a solid defence. Coach Peseiro went into a three-centre-backs system after the first draw and the team did not concede any goal in four matches.

The Super Eagles beat Cote d’Ivoire 1 – 0, Guinea Bissau 1 – 0, Cameroon 2 – 0 in the round of 16, and Angola 1 – 0 in the quarter-final until the semi-final where they played 1 – 1 with South Africa before winning 4 – 2 on penalties.

The national team can overcome the Ivorians if they stay with their match plan and the tactics that have worked for them in the tournament so far. How they organise themselves on the field during the match will make all the difference. In addition, the defence must retain its vibrancy and quick-footedness where split-second decisions are pivotal to routing the Elephants.

The Super Eagles must also not be goal shy; they should take advantage of every goal scoring opportunity, especially in the first half. It will also be a battle of wits, but our players in all departments should not back down from physical battles.

Our strikers have not scored too many goals, but they have worked hard for the team. Victor Osimhen has scored only once in six matches, but he has one assist and has won two important penalties. On his part, Ademola Lookman has scored three goals and Moses Simon has an assist and has earned man-of-the-match performances.

Stanley Nwabali, our goalie who plays for Chippa United in South Africa, has distinguished himself as one of the biggest revelations and safest pair of hands of the tournament. He has been part of the remarkable defence, also comprising William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi and Ola Aina,

As we count down to the big match which Segun Odegbami, former national team player and member of the 1980 Green Eagles that won AFCON, had predicted, Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire have met 28 times with nine wins each and 10 draws.

What does that tell you?

We are in for a thrilling encounter tonight in Abidjan but the Super Eagles of Nigeria will lift the trophy. That is my prediction. Good luck to our players.

 

Braimah is a global public relations and marketing strategist. He is also the publisher/editor-in-chief of Naija Times (https://ntm.ng) and Lagos Post (https://lagospost.ng), and can be reached via [email protected].

 

Copyright © 2024 Completesports.com All rights reserved. The information contained in Completesports.com may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without the prior written authority of Completesports.com.

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It is Super Bowl 58 on Sunday. In Las Vegas. With the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes will be there. So will Brock Purdy. Taylor Swift should be there. Usher will definitely be there. Probably worth a watch. If you’re into that kind of thing…

Editor’s note…

If Brock Purdy is to achieve the unthinkable as a Mr Irrelevant-turned-Super Bowl champion, Steve Spagnuolo is going to make him work harder, play smarter, read the field clearer and be better than ever before in his young, staggering, developing NFL career.

Chiefs players of late have sported ‘In Spags We Trust’ t-shirts in reference to their beloved defensive coordinator, who has been as much a face of Kansas City’s path back to the Super Bowl as Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid or any member of the defending champions. Without Spagnuolo and his defense, their Super Bowl defence would be long over.

Come Sunday night, it might be as much a case of Kyle Shanahan vs Steve Spagnuolo as it is Shanahan vs Reid or Mahomes vs Brock Purdy. It was Spagnuolo who called the shots to nullify Tyreek Hill and Mike McDaniel, it was Spagnuolo who called the shots to nullify Josh Allen, it was Spagnuolo who called the shots to shut down Lamar Jackson. What can he do against Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle?

“We love playing for Coach Spags, we absolutely love him, couldn’t be more proud to play for him,” Chiefs edge rusher George Karlaftis told Sky Sports NFL.

For so long the norm has been Mahomes mastery inciting offensive supremacy as the Chiefs steamroll their way to postseason contention. The norm changed in 2023, Spagnuolo’s unit shouldering responsibility in the face of a hobbling attack as the shape-shifting concoction of confusion baiting quarterbacks into mistakes and frustrating the most talented of weapons.

Sky Sports have spent the week with magician Steven Frayne, formerly known as Dynamo, as he boggles the minds of players and celebrities amid the enchantment of Las Vegas and its adoration for illusion. Spagnuolo promises his own clinic in sleight-of-hand perplexion.

His Chiefs ranked second in the league in total yards allowed and points allowed, while ranking fourth against the pass as the team’s driving force. He would meddle with the appearance of his defensive front through personnel changes to offer varying weight and skillset challenges for offensive lineman to deal with, he would rotate his coverages pre and post-snap with yo-yoing safeties to muddy the quarterback’s field diagnosis as effectively as any defensive director in the league, he would disguise blitzes to create pressure from his defensive backs, he would license L’Jarius Sneed with press freedom to wrestle and jam the league’s best receivers at the line of scrimmage.

Asked what makes Spagnuolo so important, Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones joked: “He’s Italian. He’s amazing. His resume speaks for itself, I think he’s the only (defensive coordinator) who was able to go to the championship with two different teams. He’s been very successful in the scheme of defense that he’s ran over his span in the NFL. It’s Spags, man. What can you say?”

Spagnuolo’s Chiefs have blitzed quarterbacks at the fourth-highest rate in the league this season, but will come up against a player in Purdy who has flourished against five or more pass rushers such has been his level of anticipation and the speed at which he gets the ball out. It beckons as a game of moving parts between Spagnuolo’s fidgeting defense and a 49ers offense that dialled up a shift or motion at the second-highest rate in the league this season. Makes for quite the chess match.

Victory would mark the latest instalment of a fascinating career for Spagnuolo, who hopped between college coaching roles and spells in Europe with the Barcelona Dragons and Frankfurt Galaxy in the 90s before heading to the NFL. He has since become the only coordinator in history to win a Super Bowl with two separate franchises, having lifted the Lombardi during his time with the New York Giants.

Somehow he has floated undetected and overlooked during annual coaching cycles since arriving in Arrowhead in 2019; the Chiefs won’t mind. Reid would have no other man beside him on Sunday.

Spagnuolo is a perfect fit for Vegas trickery, some of which the 49ers might have already experienced after their hotel fire alarm mysteriously went off at 6am on Thursday morning. Welcome to Super Bowl week.

“You don’t want to wake the sleeping bear. But Christian (McCaffrey) was not happy too,” said 49ers tight end George Kittle.

The written-off Chiefs and the nearly-team 49ers, primed to meet again in a rematch of Super Bowl LIV. The season comes down to this.

Who to watch…

Isiah Pacheco, RB, Chiefs: His running style is as animated, as pound-the-ground, as watchable as any back in the NFL, but behind the jokes of Isiah Pacheco’s on-field aesthetics is solid production as one of the most instrumental figures to the Chiefs playoff run in 2023. He has proven a worthy executioner of Reid’s gap scheme runs, punching lanes with conviction and carrying bodies in tow to the tune of 254 yards and three touchdowns in the postseason. The 49ers were torched on the ground during their playoff wins over the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions. Will Pacheco and the Chiefs enjoy similar success on the ground?

Trent McDuffie, CB, Chiefs: Something tells you Spagnuolo has had bundles of fun working with Trent McDuffie since the 2022 first-round pick’s arrival. He has become a perfect cog within his defensive coordinator’s rolling coverage system, emerging as one of the league’s most impactful nickel corners against the run game and thereby positioning himself as one of the keys to containing a McCaffrey-led ground assault. The first-team All-Pro corner recorded five forced fumbles this season as one of the chief contributors to Kansas City’s hard-nosed blitz-heavy defense, his late bursts from the second level fuelling Spagnuolo’s art of disguise.

Brandon Aiyuk, WR, 49ers: The 49ers might not be here were it not for Brandon Aiyuk’s stunning catch off the helmet of Detroit Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor, setting his side up at the five-yard line before his touchdown grab three plays later to reduce the deficit to 24-17 in the NFC Championship Game. It was a stroke of fortune and a defining moment in the Niners’ season, across which Aiyuk has starred as perhaps the league’s most unsung lead receiver. The 2020 first-round pick enjoyed a career year with 1,342 receiving yards at 17.9 yards per catch and seven touchdowns, and will now be tasked as the man to test the downfield coverage skills of the Chiefs’ acclaimed defensive backs.

Dre Greenlaw, LB, 49ers: You cannot talk about the influence of Fred Warner without too shining a light on the value of Dre Greenlaw in Steve Wilks’ 49ers defense. His speed, range and ability to read concepts has been among the best in his position this season, pitting him alongside Warner as two of the defining blockades to Mahomes’ efforts to find Travis Kelce. He will be central to bottling a Chiefs offense that will dare him to maraud downhill in support of stuffing Isiah Pacheco, while also dragging him east-to-west in accordance to Mahomes’ play-extension and challenging him to cover the league’s best pass-catching tight end.

Rashee Rice, WR, Chiefs: Mahomes lied in wait for somebody to arise from his under-staffed, error-ridden core of young wide receivers this season; Rashee Rice answered the call. The second-round rookie has become his quarterback’s favourite and most-trusted target not named Travis Kelce, finishing the regular season with 938 receiving yards and seven touchdowns before spring-boarding the Chiefs’ playoff campaign with 130 yards and a score in their Wild Card win over the Miami Dolphins. Rice finished the season ranked third in yards-after-catch (653) behind only Amon-Ra St. Brown and CeeDee Lamb, becoming Mahomes’ go-to zone-coverage-beater.

Christian McCaffrey, RB, 49ers: Don’t be shocked to see an outright rushing raid from the 49ers in a bid to unlock the Chiefs defense in the early exchanges of Sunday’s Super Bowl. The Bills threatened ominous signs with their running game only to come unstuck against the champions in the Divisional Round, before the Ravens bizarrely neglected their own ground threat amid a Spagnuolo masterclass at the AFC Championship Game. In Christian McCaffrey the 49ers boast the NFL’s most influential two-way running back, whose slide-and-cut explosion in Shanahan’s zone attack presents the greatest of lateral tests for Kansas City up front. The league leader in scrimmage yards has all the makings of a Super Bowl MVP as a dream cushion to Purdy.

The magic of Las Vegas…

World famous magician Steven Frayne – formerly known as Dynamo – has been spending the week with the Sky Sports NFL team out in Nevada as a beacon of Las Vegas and its rich history of magic.

From Gary Neville to JJ Watt, he has been dazzling the streets of Sin City as we build up to Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday night…

Super Bowl injury news

• Chiefs head coach Andy Reid played down Joe Thuney’s chances of featuring in Sunday’s Super Bowl amid his recovery from a pectoral injury, with Nick Allegretti expected to start at left guard.
• The Chiefs placed defensive end Charles Omenihu on injured reserve due to a knee injury, while activating wide receiver Skyy Moore following his knee issue.
• Chiefs corner L’Jarius Sneed missed practice earlier in the week due to the birth of his daughter.
• 49ers tight end George Kittle (toe) and defensive tackle Arik Armstead (knee and foot) have both been limited during practice this week, but there are no concerns over their availability on Sunday.

Elsewhere around the league…

• NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell opened Super Bowl week by telling Sky Sports NFL’s Neil Reynolds that the Philadelphia Eagles will host the first-ever regular season game in Brazil in the Friday of kickoff weekend in 2024.
• The NFL later confirmed that it will also begin playing games in Madrid, Spain from 2025 as the newest addition to its international schedule.
• NFL Network reported Friday that British coach Aden Durde is being hired as the new Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator following three seasons as defensive line coach of the Dallas Cowboys.
• Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was named league MVP for the second time in his career at the NFL Honors awards night on Thursday; Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco beat Damar Hamlin to Comeback Player of the Year, while his head coach Kevin Stefanski won Coach of the Year.

• 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey was awarded Offensive Player of the Year, with Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett the Defensive Player of the Year.
• The Los Angeles Chargers hired Greg Roman, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens, as their new offensive coordinator, while also appointing Jesse Minter, formerly of Michigan, as their new defensive coordinator.
• The Miami Dolphins announced they are hiring former Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry as a defensive assistant.
• Former Buffalo Bills and New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan interviewed with the Dallas Cowboys for their vacant defensive coordinator role following Dan Quinn’s appointment as Washington Commanders head coach.

Best quotes

Chiefs safety Trent McDuffie on what has given his side the edge in the postseason: “Playoff Patrick is a different Patrick Mahomes, I love to watch it because that man is a magician.”

Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo on Brock Purdy: “This is not a quarterback that is managing and all of those tags they put on him. He’s for real. He makes all the throws and is really, really smart. And then what I didn’t know, because I hadn’t seen enough of it, is how athletic he is.”

49ers running back Christian McCaffrey on the hotel fire alarm going off at 6am: “I think there’s no way it’s random. It’s part of it. It’s just more wood thrown on the fire.”

49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams on the prospect of winning the Super Bowl after his cancer scare in 2019: “It would be like one of those fairy tales. It’s like something you can only dream about. It’s hard to even describe what that feeling would be like because I’ve never felt that feeling before. But I imagine it would be a memory that we would remember for life.”

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes: “I think I just like winning. If you win a lot and that causes you to be a villain, then I’m OK with it. But at the end of the day, I’m going to enjoy playing the game and try to win as much as possible.”

49ers quarterback Brock Purdy: “The keys weren’t just given to me or anything, it had to be earned. Coming in Day One, just trying to learn Kyle’s system, his playbook, and earn the respect of my teammates. over time I’ve been able to step into that role and be ready for my opportunity. At the same time, I have a lot of help around me, and it’s allowed me to develop, and I’m going to continue to develop with the help and the cast I have around me.”

Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby on his hopes for the Super Bowl: “Selfishly, I want the Chiefs to win so we can be the ones to take them down and take them off that pedestal.”

Former Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule: “I think Brock Purdy is an amazing player, played against him at Iowa State,” Rhule said. “When I was in the draft room at Carolina, I brought his name up. I said he should be on the Draft board. I got vetoed on that one.”

The game stats

• Brock Purdy’s salary in 2023 was $870,000 – the lowest among all QBs to have started in Week One, in comparison to Patrick Mahomes who earned $59.4m in 2023
• A 30-second Super Bowl commercial will cost a record-high average of $7m, according to Forbes
• Purdy will be just the eighth quarterback to start in the Super Bowl in his first or second season
• As of Friday February 9, the cheapest Super Bowl game ticket available on StubHub is priced at £4,979
• VIP suites at Allegiant Stadium will reportedly cost between $1.4m to $2.5m – more than Purdy’s annual salary!

• Chiefs corner L’Jarius Sneed has covered an opponent’s No. 1 wide receiver in seven games this season, leading the NFL. He has also allowed the lowest completion percentage of any defender when targeted on throws of 10-plus air yards, having also not allowed a single touchdown in coverage during the regular season
• Patrick Mahomes led all QBs with 44 deep touchdown passes from 2018-2021, but has thrown just two since 2022
• Should Taylor Swift be in attendance, it will mark the 13th Chiefs game she has seen this season – the 13-time Grammy winner’s favourite number happens to be 13… make of that what you will

Super Bowl history

Essential reading:

From Mr Irrelevant to the Super Bowl: Purdy seeks fairy-tale moment

The NFL did not see Brock Purdy coming. Not even the San Francisco 49ers saw him coming.

He should not be here, not really. The last pick of the NFL Draft? Pulling the strings to the NFL’s best offense? Fulfilling the masterplan of a generational offensive architect? Going head to head with the greatest quarterback of his generation? In the Super Bowl? He couldn’t. He wouldn’t. He is. He might.

The 49ers do not make it this far without Kyle Shanahan’s quarterback-friendly system or their envied entourage of superstar weapons, but nor do they make it this far without Purdy. He is not a superstar, but his ability to accentuate his strengths has turned him into the player Shanahan needed.

Purdy will look to crown one of the NFL’s great underdog stories as ‘Mr Irrelevant’ leads the 49ers out at Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas on Sunday…

Mahomes’ quest to beat Brady’s seven | ‘He’s already in GOAT-ville’

When Tom Brady finally bowed out of the NFL last February at the age of 45, he did so as the undisputed GOAT. But, just one year on, his legacy of a record seven Super Bowl titles is already under threat: and he goes by the name of Patrick Mahomes.

Mahomes, aged 28, already has two Super Bowl rings to his name and, on Sunday, has the chance to make that three with victory over the very same San Francisco 49ers against whom he secured his first four years ago.

Read more on the Chiefs quarterback and his march towards greatness ahead of Sunday’s season finale…

Super Bowl LVIII expert predictions

“They have got Patrick Mahomes, they may not have the best team but they have the best player in the NFL”

Prediction time! From MVP to surprise heroes, the Sky Sports NFL team make their Super Bowl LVIII picks as the San Francisco 49ers prepare to face the Kansas City Chiefs in Las Vegas…

Super Bowl LVIII… as told by Taylor Swift

As Super Bowl LVIII between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs descends on Las Vegas, so too does the latest instalment of a Taylor Swift story that has taken the NFL by storm this season…

Swift’s relationship with Chiefs tight end and future Hall of Famer Travis Kelce has emerged as one of the unlikely but immovable storylines of the 2023 season, her celebrations in the stands becoming one of the most sought-after sights on Kansas City’s road back to the Super Bowl.

With that, here is a look ahead to Super Bowl LVIII through the albums of the 13-time Grammy winner…

The burning questions at Super Bowl LVIII

“San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and talented play-callers in the NFL. It feels like every NFL team is trying to find the new Kyle Shanahan when they conduct their coaching searches. But Shanahan might be the most under-pressure man inside Allegiant Stadium on Sunday.”

From Mahomes’ legacy to Purdy’s bog moment, Sky Sports NFL’s Neil Reynolds looks at the burning questions heading into Super Bowl LVIII as the 49ers prepare to face the Chiefs in Las Vegas…

Super Bowl LVIII: Meet the final two teams

Mahomes resumes his march towards the all-time greats in search of a second straight ring and third overall, while Purdy, the famous last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, finds himself one more win away from one of the greatest feats in sporting history.

Here is your quick guide to the 49ers and Chiefs ahead of Super Bowl LVIII…

Inside the Huddle: Super Bowl week is here!

Neil Reynolds, Jeff Reinebold and Phoebe Schecter are on Radio Row in Las Vegas for the final Inside The Huddle preview of Super Bowl LVIII.

As well as an in depth look ahead to Sunday’s game, the team also discuss the addition of Madrid to the NFL’s international schedule in 2025 as well as British coach Aden Durde being set to become the new Seahawks DC.

Her Huddle: Swift, Usher and Purdy vs Mahomes

Hannah Wilkes is joined by Liz and Ash to preview Super Bowl LVIII, making their big predictions for the game as well as hearing from Phoebe Schecter and Olivia Harlan Dekker on location in Las Vegas.

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Watch Super Bowl LVIII – the 49ers against the Chiefs – live on Sky Sports NFL on Sunday February 11. The game starts at 11.30pm. You can also stream Sky Sports’ live Super Bowl coverage with NOW