With around a third of the regular season already played, it would seem there has been a shift in terms of who the favorites are to be crowned the Super Bowl LVIII winners.
While there is still a lot of football to be played on the gridiron this season before the final showdown that is scheduled for February 11 at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV, it would seem many are not backing the Kansas City Chiefs as strongly as they were at the beginning to retain their title. San Francisco 49ers look like the team to beat this year, as they have made the NFC franchise the favorite to win Super Bowl LVIII.
Why have the 49ers become the favorites?
Based on the start that the franchise has had, it is not too difficult to understand why the 49ers have been listed as the favorites at this point of the season. The organization arguably has the best roster in the entire league, with it being complete from top to bottom. Ahead of the 2023 campaign, many would have questioned the quarterback position and whether Brock Purdy could be the main man to lead them, and he appears to have come up trumps thus far.
Through the first five weeks, the 49ers are 5-0 (only the Philadelphia Eagles match this record), and they have been among one of the top performers in terms of key metrics, such as points scored and points allowed.
The Californian franchise—ahead of their Week 6 road trip to the 2-2 Cleveland Browns —are second in terms of points scored across the league with 167. They are only behind the Miami Dolphins, who have 181, thanks to putting up 70 points against the Denver Broncos in Week 3. In terms of points allowed, they are joint-second in the standings as they and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have allowed just 68; the Browns have conceded just 60 but have played a game less.
Christian McCaffrey leads the league in terms of rushing with 510 yards on the ground. He has a total of seven touchdowns and continues to be effective with the ball that many defenses have found difficult to handle.
Can the Chiefs still compete with the 49ers?
The current NFL odds still have the Chiefs ranked among the leading candidates to win Super Bowl LVIII. They are valued second behind the 49ers, with the difference in price not too large at this stage of the season.
Of course, the opener did not go to plan for Kansas as they were defeated at home by the Detroit Lions 21-20, but they have since found their dominant form that has made them a regular visitor to the premier event. Let’s remember, the organization has played in three of the last four editions, winning two and losing one of them.
The franchise is now 4-1 on the season as we reach Week 6, with Patrick Mahomes and co starting to cook. Travis Kelce appears to be enjoying life a little more with an extra spotlight on him as he appears to be dating Taylor Swift, with the pop superstar continuing to turn up to each game that he plays in.
Could we see a Chiefs vs 49ers showdown at Super Bowl LVIII?
If you listen to what NFL Network and FOX Sports analyst Peter Schrager has to say – and you would be wise to do so given his knowledge of the league – then it is very possible that we will see a Chiefs vs 49ers matchup in Las Vegas at Super Bowl LVIII.
The reporter has accurately been able to pick the winner of the last four games before they have started and has predicted that the Chiefs will be able to retain their title this year. He also stated that they would go on to beat the 49ers at the Allegiant Stadium on February 11 with a score of 34-28.
There is a long way to go in the 2023 NFL season and there will be many teams that will feel that they have a chance of winning the Vince Lombardi Trophy this year. The Eagles are 5-0 and may feel a return to the game this year will be their time to finally get it once again, while the Dolphins and Lions (both 4-1) may also feel they have a chance after their impressive starts to the campaign, and the Bills at 3-2 are definitely in the conversation.
All in all, it is not surprising to see the 49ers to be the favorites, but with a sport like football, it is always worth watching closely, as a lot can happen.