THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: Hopefully, Super Bowl comes down to strategy — not Swifties

The NFL conference finals are done, and we have a matchup worth watching.

Really.

It could be that good.

Honestly, I was going to write about the superstar who’s bound to dominate Super Bowl LVIII, but the whole world apparently has beaten me to it.

Yes, even Snoopy.

That Intrepid Reporter for The Dogpatch Daily, working bravely with sore paws (from sending out early Valentine cards), has been dictating Super Bowl stories to Charlie Brown back in the Dogpatch newsroom.

See, I’ve missed a full news cycle to Snoopy and thousands of others.

As always, I need any big story to break, say, on a Wednesday or Thursday — thus giving me a level playing field.

Ah, well.

I like to believe that this sort of thing tests my skill, forcing me to find a fascinating story that can escape that army of reporters on the Super Bowl beat.

And you know what?

I think I’ve nailed one — a truly thoughtful piece about football strategy, and how any coach might address it, depending on his own underlying philosophy.

As for you other journalists who want to take the easy route, hey, Taylor Swift is all yours.

YES, I was having some fun there.

Although.

There will be plenty of words written on Swift — a gazillion would be a fair guess.

If you’re a Swiftie (or want to present one with a gift), I’m sure you’ll be able to find a so-called “think piece” on whether Swift’s presence, after a zoom-in trip to Vegas from Tokyo, might impact Travis Kelce’s state of mind for this NFL showdown.

So far, Taylor being at Chiefs games hasn’t bothered him a whit (what guy doesn’t want to show off for his girlfriend?), and I’m guessing the 49ers shouldn’t expect any help on that front.

Screw-ups with airline scheduling?

Ah, Ms. Swift owns two hefty jets of her own, and has crews, maintenance people and all sorts of assistance available just about anywhere in the world.

However.

She is finishing a four-night stand at the Tokyo Dome on Saturday, Feb. 10.

The Super Bowl is the evening of the 11th, and believe it or not, every rich guy on Earth plans to fly in for the game (and assorted parties).

Taylor SHOULD be able to find a parking space for her jet, or take a limo from Los Angeles, or whatever.

The real key is the time difference between Nevada and Japan.

Coming our way (you know, the daily Tokyo-Spokane non-stop), you save a big chunk of time.

You might be a little glassy eyed after that kind of flight, but again, Taylor’s massive jet is like a flying condo with cushy bedrooms and all the other amenities – and you HAVE to believe she’s used to being comfy on it.

You know, I really do have a serious football question to toss your way here, but allow me one more Taylor Swift item just to wrap up the grins.

I asked a few people who in the world the 49ers could possibly trot out to match Taylor in terms of celebrity.

Believe it or not, the only options anyone could suggest were religious figures like Pope Francis, the Dalai Lama, etc.

Taylor Swift has more than 800 million followers on various social media sites.

That’s more than twice the population of the United States.

Whoa!

MEANTIME, let’s do our football puzzle, shall we?

This one actually can impact the outcome of huge games — and in fact, that happened last weekend.

Baltimore’s John Harbaugh and Dan Campbell of Detroit went in different directions on decisions that reflected their philosophies.

Or didn’t.

Harbaugh’s Ravens are a running, bruising team who provide space for QB Lamar Jackson by banging ahead — to the tune of roughly a 50-50 spread between rushing and throwing.

When they got behind Kansas City 17-7, though (a rarity this year), Harbaugh perhaps feared they didn’t dare let Patrick Mahomes and Co. out of sight.

The Ravens called only seven running plays in the second half, got completely out of rhythm, made a series of uncharacteristic mistakes — and lost 17-10.

Detroit’s Campbell is the ultimate tough guy, and wants his team to fear no one.

That would also make him the kind of coach who wouldn’t be afraid to try converting on some critical fourth downs against the 49ers.

The Lions failed twice.

There really isn’t a deep-down message here, except that Harbaugh changed his philosophy (and lost), while Campbell stuck with his (and also lost).

One option — likely approved by Argentine soccer fan Pope Francis — is that coaches need to be open-minded.

And have the best players.

Email: scameron@cdapress.com

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press four times each week, normally Tuesday through Friday unless, you know, stuff happens.

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”