After 256 regular season games and 10 playoff games, the Super Bowl 54 matchup which will decide the champion for the NFL’s 100th season, has been decided. Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes and the AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs will face off against Kyle Shanahan, Jimmy Garoppolo and the NFC champion San Francisco 49ers in what should be a showdown for the ages.

This is the first time these two teams will meet in the big game. Kansas City finished the regular season at 12-4, winning the AFC West title for a fourth consecutive year and finishing as the AFC’s #2 seed. The Chiefs rallied back from a 24-0 deficit to defeat the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round, before ending the #6 seed Tennessee Titans’ Cinderella story in the AFC Championship Game to reach the franchise’s first Super Bowl since 1969. San Francisco finished the regular season at 13-3 and atop the NFC, qualifying for the postseason for the first time since 2013. The 49ers made easy work of the Minnesota Vikings in the Divisional Round, before pounding the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game to reach the Super Bowl for the seventh time in franchise history.

Both teams will be seeking to end long title droughts. Kansas City hasn’t won it all since 1969 when they defeated the Minnesota Vikings 23-7 in Super Bowl IV, which was also their last appearance in the big game. The 49ers will also be looking to end a long drought of their own, having not taken home the Lombardi Trophy since 1994. The Chiefs will be looking for their second title in team history, while the 49ers look for their sixth (which would tie the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers for most championships in the Super Bowl era).

I surveyed many people on both who they think will win, and who they will be rooting for to win. 55% of those I surveyed predicted that Kansas City will walk away with the Lombardi Trophy, and 74% of those I surveyed said they will be rooting for the Chiefs to capture their first championship since 1969.

Analysis and Prediction

This game will feature the Chiefs’ explosive offense led by superstar QB Patrick Mahomes and featuring talents such as Damien Williams, LeSean McCoy, Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, and one of the league’s better offensive lines. But they will be facing arguably their toughest test of the season against a smothering 49ers defense loaded with talent such as likely NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Nick Bosa and All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman. But the Kansas City defense and San Francisco offense are no slouches themselves, with both units having been solid as of late.

Prediction: Chiefs 31, 49ers 27

As surprisingly great as the 49ers and especially their defense have been this season, it’s too hard to pick against Mahomes and this Kansas City offense loaded with firepower that has been playing lights out for much of the year. The Chiefs win in an instant classic to cap off the NFL’s 100th season, as Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes and Co. capture that elusive title.

Let’s all hope for a great game, and that fans everywhere are able to gather with friends and family to enjoy good food and watch some football!