We are just hours away from Super Bowl LVIII and the anticipation for this big game between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs from Las Vegas is ramping up to historic levels. Patrick Mahomes' team seeks to win its third title in the last five years, while the 49ers eye revenge on K.C. for their loss in Super Bowl LIV and look to claim the franchise's first championship since 1994.
As we sit here waiting for that game to kick off, let's get our football fix in by dipping into the virtual world in the form of CBS Sports' annual Madden NFL 24 Super Bowl simulation. If you've followed us over the last few years, you've come to know that these simulations are not to be slept on. Over the past three Super Bowls, this simulation is a perfect 3-0 picking the Chiefs, Rams and Buccaneers when the dust settled.
This summer, we also conducted and full-season simulation for 2023 for the first time. While some oddities didn't come to fruition (the Panthers making the playoffs?!?), that simulation did get several things eerily correct. That included the Packers upsetting the Cowboys in the playoffs, the Eagles being one-and-done in the postseason, and the Chiefs reaching the Super Bowl.
However, this is where that simulation and this latest -- and I'd argue official -- Super Bowl simulation differ. While Kansas City was hoisting the Lombardi Trophy at the end of that initial simulation of the entire year, this newest one has the San Francisco 49ers winning it all in a 10-6 grudge match in Las Vegas.
The Niners got the ball to begin the game and drove down the field until Brock Purdy connected with wideout Brandon Aiyuk for an 18-yard touchdown, which ultimately proved to be the only time we'd see either of these offenses get into the end zone in this matchup.
For Kansas City, it was rough-sledding offensively against this 49ers defense throughout the game. Even as the Chiefs moved into the red zone on their first possession, the Niners clamped down to force a Harrison Butker field goal to make it a 7-3 game. Fred Warner nearly picked off Mahomes in the end zone on second down.
Then, Dre Greenlaw batted down a pass short of the goal-line to force the field goal attempt.
Those two drives chewed up a majority of the clock in the first half, but San Francisco did have enough time to run a two-minute drill before the half to set up a 38-yard field goal by Jake Moody to make it a 10-3 lead going into halftime.
Coming out for the third quarter, the Chiefs took possession and, for a moment, looked like they were going to turn a corner and knot this game up at 10 apiece. They quickly moved down the field into 49ers territory, but ultimately saw the drive sputter out, leading to a 49-yard field goal but Butker. With it now sitting as a 10-6 game, Kansas City desperately needed a stop from its defense and it looked like they were going to get a quick three-and-out as the 49ers faced a third-and-10 situation. It was at that point, however, that Purdy made one of his most clutch throws of the night, connecting with George Kittle for a 30-yard gain.
That reception helped San Francisco bleed the clock through the end of the quarter. To begin the fourth, a missed 57-yard field goal attempt by Jake Moody kept it a mere four-point lead for the Niners. The Chiefs couldn't capitalize on that miscue as they went three-and-out on their next possession. That following drive by San Francisco forced Andy Reid to burn all of his timeouts, but his defense was able to get a stop and the ball back with a chance to win it.
With 1:43 remaining in regulation, no timeouts, and trailing by just four points, Mahomes and the Cheifs offense got the ball back at their 23-yard line with a chance to win the title with a touchdown. While we've seen Mahomes dazzle in this setting time after time, this wasn't one of those situations. Chase Young, who was acquired by the 49ers at the deadline this season, came up with a monumental sack to set up third-and-20 and keep the clock ticking.
On the very next play, Mahomes threw up a deep shot down the right sideline which was picked off by his former Chiefs teammate and current 49ers corner Charvarius Ward, which iced the victory for San Francisco and led Ward to win Super Bowl MVP.
After a kneeldown by Purdy, the San Francisco 49ers were able to win Super Bowl LVIII, 10-6.
Of course, to see how this game actually goes down, be sure to tune in on Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m. ET for the presentation of Super Bowl LVIII, which will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+.
