Last year, the most watched sporting event in the world (the Super Bowl, as we call it) lacked in both the excitement of the game, and in the non-playing portions (i.e. commercials, pregame show, halftime show and postgame show). 

This year was different. Maybe it’s because the Patriots weren’t in it, or maybe it was because it was just ... better.

First, let’s talk about the game. 

These two teams were the best in football all year. Kansas City was my pick to win the whole thing from the start of the season, and I only switched tunes in the middle of the season for two reasons.

First, Chief’s mega-star quarterback Patrick Mahomes dislocated his kneecap in the middle of the season. That’s never a good thing, and I spent the rest of the year upon his return waiting to see if he was going to get hurt again. (Spoiler alert, he didn’t).

The second thing that made me switch course was when the 49ers trounced the Packers in the regular season. That defensive showing was eye-popping. Not eye-popping in the way that every team can have one good game of planning that falls into place, but rather, they could line up and just pop and overpower their opponents at will; play after play, starters and subs.

The offense was finally clicking this season for San Francisco, too. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was healthy. He didn’t need to be a star for his team to win big, much like Mark Rypien, Joe Flacco and Eli Manning before him. He just had to not screw up. This strategy worked quite well, especially considering how well the offensive line played (and the 49er running backs).

When the two teams reached the Super Bowl, I had no quarrels, these were the two best teams. 

I actually picked SF to win by 10, which looked really good until Kyle Shanahan screwed up the good thing he had going for him — again.

Shanahan was the offensive coordinator for my Falcons three years ago and let a 28-3 lead late in the third quarter fizzle out into a cloud of nothing. Very rarely was a run play called despite it working all game; and then the rest of the play calls were either too conservative or too liberal to close out the game.

Three years later, his offense in SF looked eerily similar in the fourth quarter to his Falcons nightmare.

And what would you know, the 49ers gave up a 10-point lead and lost by 11. That was 21 unanswered points for those using their fingers to count at home.

While 49ers fans will be weeping (possibly for years) because of the ineptitude of late-game play calling, Chiefs fans were partying like it was 1970, when they last won the big game.

It was refreshing to see Andy Reid get the big win. He’s been an incredible coach and you can tell his players love playing for him. It was also nice to see Mahomes step up in the fourth quarter after looking pedestrian all game.

Now, let’s switch gears.

First, the pregame was alright. I’m not a huge fan of FOX’s coverage, but the NFL 100 video went from “cute” to “awesome” when the kid from the commercial ran out onto the field live.

The songs were, well, sung well, I guess you could say? I was indifferent.

At halftime Shakira and Jennifer Lopez showed off a lot of booty giggles and skimpy clothing. This is nothing new to anyone who paid attention to their careers over the past 20-plus years. I was a little disappointed in Shakira’s blatant lip-syncing, though I was impressed with 50-year-old J-Lo singing live while dancing the night away and still making it look flawlessly easy.

Overall, I’d give it a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars. I still don’t think anyone will ever top Prince playing Purple Rain in a monsoon. That’s still the best halftime performance in my opinion.

Which makes me wonder, as most performances are either too cheesy or risque or bland, maybe the NFL should do something different?

My wife doesn’t agree with me, but I think if they just threw up a comedian or two to tell some jokes and throw some zingers for 20 minutes, it could be great. People would still be offended (this time because of words instead of outfits and dancing styles), so it wouldn’t be that different actually. And for the NFL and Pepsi, it would be a lot cheaper than paying for all the theatrical technicians and dancers and fireworks.

Or if you’re not going to put Jim Gaffigan or Iliza Shleshinger out there, maybe think about going with Weird Al Yankovic, Bo Burnam or Lil Dickie. Then it could be funny and musical and still very offensive.

Speaking of offensive, none of the commercials were. I keep a notebook out and rate every commercial each year on a five-star scale (basically if it makes me laugh or cry, it’s a good one).

Here’s my favorites, in no particular order: Walmart’s sci-fi pickup lane; Bryan Cranston’s “The Shining” remake with Mt. Dew; Winona, Minnesota’s “Fargo” remake; Pringles featuring Rick and Morty; the Google Assistant with the old man remembering his late wife really tugged on my heart strings, while the next 30 seconds were for Hummus, featuring celebrities such as Ric Flair (Woo!); I’m not a Bud Light guy, but the Post Malone bit where he’s tearing up the store accidentally was clever and was what I had hoped for with Pixar’s “Inside Out” instead of the tears it brought me; then finally, the Bill Murray Groundhog Day remake for Jeep won the title of “Best Commercial of the Super Bowl According to Adam.”

There you have it, my Super Bowl LIV review.

Now let’s bask in the fact that one week from today pitchers and catchers of the Milwaukee Brewers will begin reporting to Spring Training. It’s almost as if winter is over already. Almost.

— Adam Krebs is a reporter for the Times and can be reached at akrebs@themonroetimes.net.