Pigskin Picks NFL Super Bowl Edition

It's here. The final game of the NFL season. We've limped our way to the end of the Pigskin Picks NFL season write-ups. It's probably for the best at this point. The way things were trending with my picks, I'm like an injured animal that needs to be released from this earthly prison. So let's just get to the big one. As always Pigskin Picks is brought to you by Parx Casino and Sportsbook – this is how you win – must be 21 – gambling problem call 1-800-gambler.

Last Week’s Record: 0-2. Overall Record: 37-33

Super Bowl 58

San Francisco 49ers vs Kansas City Chiefs (SF -2)

The 49ers shouldn't be here. They deserved to lose to both Green Bay and Detroit these playoffs. Those 2 teams just weren't ready for the spotlight and gave the game away to San Fran. The Chiefs, remind me of the Patriots during those few years where they started off really slowly and people were asking is it time to move on from Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. They figured it out and were playing their best football come playoffs. That's exactly what the Chiefs are doing. The offense figured it out and can thank the defense for keeping them in games for much of the season.

We're going to see two really good defenses going up against each other, while two really good offensive coaches look to exploit some weaknesses. It's really hard to bet against Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Andy Reid. It's especially hard to bet against them in the playoffs with a really good defense. The 49ers have to play better than they did the last two round to have a chance, because the Chiefs won't make those mistakes that Green Bay and Detroit made. Let's end the season with a win. Give me the Chiefs to win outright.

PICK - Kansas City

The Eagles will not be playing in the Super Bowl next weekend. Instead, they went out in a burst of flames. The last month and change of the season was a complete disaster, seeing them go 1-7 including the loss to the Bucs in the Wild Card round. It was an embarrassing follow-up to them making it all the way to the big game last season. But just because the Eagles will not be in it, does not mean the Philadelphia area won't be represented.

There are 4 players with local ties playing in the Super Bowl next weekend, split evenly between the two teams. Two born in New Jersey, and two born in Pennsylvania. We kind of cheated with one because he moved to Texas before High School. But he was born in Philadelphia, so he still counts. The other 3, were born and raised in the local area. One is even open about how they grew up as an Eagles fan.

There is a RB expected to play a big role in the game. A WR having a breakout rookie season. A Safety now playing a big role after an injury to one of the 49ers starters. And a rotational Defensive Tackle who only recently joined the 49ers.

So before the big game, let's get to know the local guys playing in it a bit better.

By far the best player in the Super Bowl with local ties is Isiah Pacheco. And unlike some of the other guys on the list, we know he grew up as an Eagles fan. He has said so himself. That makes the role he played in beating the Eagles in last year’s Super Bowl sting just a bit more. But he has developed into a very good RB for the Chiefs, He averaged 4.6 yards per carry this season, with 6 TDs. He has a TD in all 3 of their playoff games thus far, so anticipate him being in the end zone once again in the Super Bowl.

Rice moved to Texas when he was young and played both his High School and College ball there So this is a bit of a stretch to call him a local. But he was originally born in Philly, so we are going to count him as a local. Rice has emerged as the Chiefs' best WR in his rookie season. He had 938 yards for 7 TDs during the season and has 20 catches for 223 yards and 1 TD in 3 playoff games so far. Outside of Travis Kelce, he is the next best option Mahomes has to throw it to.

The 49ers selected Brown in the third round of this past draft out of Penn State. He started out the season mostly playing Special Teams, but the 49ers turned to him as the starting safety after Talanoa Hufanga tore his ACL in late November. However, in the first playoff game against the Packers, he saw his role vanish. Logan Ryan took all of his snaps at Safety, and Brown never actually saw the field. But in the NFC Championship game, Brown got his role back against the Lions and played every snap.

Joseph Day has been around the NFL for a few years now. He was first drafted in the 6th round out of Rutgers by the Rams in 2018. He later signed with the Chargers but was cut in December. Not long after getting cut, he signed with the 49ers. He has not exactly been a difference-maker for them. But he is still a solid rotation DT and should see the field at least a bit in the Super Bowl. He did not show up on the stat sheet against the Lions but registered two tackles a week earlier vs the Packers.