Two Sports Illustrated writers predict Chiefs will win Super Bowl

With opening night (the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles hosting the Atlanta Falcons) just two days away, it’s officially NFL prediction week.

Sports Illustrated’s Monday Morning Quarterback joined that mix on Tuesday with picks for the playoffs, MVP and Super Bowl.

In browsing the picks, I found two writers—Robert Klemko and Mitch Goldich—have the Kansas City Chiefs down to raise the Lombardi Trophy.

Klemko has the Chiefs defeating the New Orleans Saints.

I picked the Chiefs to win the Super Bowl, so naturally in such a scenario they’ll have a few people exceeding expectations. For my money, it’s Reid, arguably the finest coach in the NFL to never win a Super Bowl as head coach, and Hunt, the second-year running back who accounted to more than 1,700 offensive yards as a rookie in 2017. With Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill stretching the field, the Chiefs promise to have an explosive offense in 2018 (if Mahomes is any good) and that means plenty of opportunities for Hunt to salt games away on the ground.

Klemko’s reasoning seems sound, but there is no mentioning of the Chiefs defense. Frankly, that’s a wise choice in a Chiefs’ Super Bowl prediction.

Goldich also has the Chiefs defeating the Saints.

One of the best blueprints to reach the Super Bowl is to have a kickass QB on a rookie contract, and the Chiefs very well might have one in Patrick Mahomes. He steps into a great situation with regard to both the quality of his weapons and the way they’ll be utilized under coach Andy Reid. Kansas City is not a trendy pick, but the Chiefs seem to always be mix—they’ve won 53 games in Reid’s five seasons, always staying above .500. If and when the Patriots’ decline eventually begins, Kansas City should be one of the teams positioned to capitalize.

“When the Patriots’ decline eventually begins” has been something non-New England AFC fans have been waiting on for a long time. In my eyes, until we see tangible signs of it, the Patriots remain the team to beat.

The Chiefs will get their shot with their Week 6 Sunday Night Football date against the Pats.

Other SI picks for the Super Bowl: Green Bay (3), Minnesota (2), New England (2), New Orleans (2), Atlanta, Carolina (over KC), Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia

Read the full analysis here.