New Era: chiefs, 49ers clash in super bowl

MIAMI – The Kansas City Chiefs chase their first Super Bowl title in 50 years on Sunday when they face the San Francisco 49ers in a championship clash poised to usher in a new era for the NFL.

Around 100 million Americans are expected to tune in for the biggest event on the US sporting calendar, which kicks off at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium at 6.30pm (2330 GMT).

The eagerly anticipated showdown could mark a changing of the guard for the NFL’s quarterback hierarchy as the curtain comes down on the league’s 100th season.

With Tom Brady and the New England Patriots failing to reach the Super Bowl for the first time since 2016, the stage is set for the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes to crown his emergence as the best quarterback in the league.

The gifted 24-year-old Texan could become the second-youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl if he leads the Chiefs to victory in only his second full season as a starter.

Mahomes, who became only the second quarterback in history to amass 5,000 passing yards and 50 touchdowns in a season in 2018, has cut a relaxed figure during this week’s build-up.         

“I’m going to go out there and try and have fun and play the way I’ve played all season long,” Mahomes said earlier this week.

True to form, Mahomes and his teammates laughed and joked their way through a final practice session on Saturday under the watchful eye of veteran head coach Andy Reid.

“They’re loose, to a point,” Reid said of his team. “They know the job at hand against a real good football team, but at the same time, we try to let our personalities show.

“That has been an emphasis, and I don’t expect them to stop doing that now.”

Attempting to frustrate Mahomes and the Chiefs are a 49ers unit chasing a record-equaling sixth Super Bowl.

Led by the 28-year-old quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo – who won two Super Bowl rings during his stint as a back-up to Brady in New England – the 49ers boast a fearsome defense which will attempt to knock Mahomes out of his stride.

Garoppolo has an array of weapons at his disposal.