MIAMI — Patrick Mahomes' play is mesmerizing.
With no-look passes, side-arm throws, rockets down the field and even throws with his opposite hand, Mahomes is a captivating flame thrower who may be the best young quarterback in the NFL.
At 24 years old, he's already won an NFL MVP despite playing in just 35 games in his career. And Mahomes is one win away from adding another impressive addition to his young resumé.
Mahomes will lead the Kansas City Chiefs against [...]
MIAMI — Patrick Mahomes' play is mesmerizing.
With no-look passes, side-arm throws, rockets down the field and even throws with his opposite hand, Mahomes is a captivating flame thrower who may be the best young quarterback in the NFL.
At 24 years old, he's already won an NFL MVP despite playing in just 35 games in his career. And Mahomes is one win away from adding another impressive addition to his young resumé.
Mahomes will lead the Kansas City Chiefs against the San Francisco 49ers in Sunday's Super Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium, a game that will culminate the NFL's 100th season.
"You watch every single year, the process you have to go through day in and day out, having to be healthy, having to stay away from injuries, having to win games in certain situations that could be coin flips. You understand it's a hard place to get to in the Super Bowl. But for me, it's just about enjoying the moment and taking advantage of it," Mahomes said last week.
"Obviously, I want to be back (in the Super Bowl) in my career, but I'm going to take advantage of this opportunity knowing it's a huge one."
South Florida will host its 11th Super Bowl, an NFL record, mainly due to Miami Dolphins owner Steve Ross pouring in at least $700 million of his own money to turn Hard Rock Stadium into the center of the sports world on Sunday.
Latin pop icons J-Lo and Shakira will share the stage during the Super Bowl halftime show, Demi Lovato will sing the national anthem, and the Super Bowl commercials will also be a spectacle for many watching around the world.
It's been 10 years since Miami hosted its last Super Bowl and could likely be another five to seven years before the NFL ends its season here in South Florida again.
Mahomes represents the type of new-age, fun-loving, exciting NFL quarterbacks who leave fans salivating for more while greatness unfolds on the football field.
Along with coach Andy Reid, who is one win away from cementing a Hall of Fame career, offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who is knocking at the door of a head coaching job, and playmakers like Kelce and Hill waiting for his direction, Mahomes has Kansas City primed to win its first Super Bowl since 1970.
"You understand the magnitude of where you're at, but at the same time you treat it like any other game. It obviously will be remembered for a long time, the Super Bowl, especially for Kansas City since it's been a long time," Mahomes said. "For me, it's about having fun, enjoying it, taking advantage of the opportunity, and what a blessing it is to be here."
The 49ers are on a "quest for six," hoping to join the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers as the only NFL franchises with six Super Bowl titles. And they've been on that quest since Steve Young threw six touchdowns to help them win their fifth title 25 years ago in Miami.
San Francisco will depend on Jimmy Garoppolo, who hopes to join the likes of Young and Joe Montana as Super Bowl winning quarterbacks in 49ers history. He could win his first Super Bowl as a starter after winning two as Tom Brady's backup in New England.
They'll rely on a young, up-and-coming coach in Kyle Shanahan, who has taken a 4-12 team from a season ago to the Super Bowl. He also hopes to avenge a 28-3 lead his team blew that led to a Super Bowl loss to the Patriots while he was the offensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons three years ago.
The 49ers will also look to a number of other players like Bosa, the No. 2 overall pick in the draft a year ago, Sherman, the Super Bowl-winning cornerback who may be one of the league's most outspoken and feared defenders and a stable of running backs led by Raheem Mostert to control the game and complete their quest.
"The journey has been crazy — it really has. Everyone has their own personal journey to go with it," Garoppolo said. "Everything this team has been through — injuries, all that stuff — it's been a whirlwind. There's no group of guys I'd rather go through it with."