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The Chiefs go so far as Patrick Mahomes takes them. The 49ers have Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and a star-studded group surrounding Brock Purdy.
This Super Bowl will come all the way down to the opposite facet of the ball.
Protection wins the Vince Lombardi Trophy on Sunday.
Kansas City is searching for to grow to be the NFL’s first repeat champion in 19 years. San Francisco is aiming for a record-tying sixth Tremendous Bowl title.
Mahomes, Travis Kelce and coach Andy Reid get many of the consideration on the Chiefs (14-6), however defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s unit deserves loads of credit score for carrying the staff throughout varied factors of the season when the offense was inconsistent and out of sync.
They’ll have to do it for yet one more sport in opposition to a flexible, dynamic offense.
The 49ers (14-5) even have a formidable protection led by Nick Bosa, All-Professional Fred Warner, Javon Hargrave and Charvarius Ward. They’ve struggled within the postseason, particularly making third-down stops.
They must be higher in opposition to Mahomes and the Chiefs to have a shot to win.
WHEN THE 49ERS HAVE THE BALL
The 49ers had the league’s third-ranked dashing assault behind McCaffrey and fourth-ranked passing offense behind Purdy. The Chiefs gave up the second-fewest factors (17.3), had been fourth in opposition to the cross and 18th in opposition to the run.
McCaffrey, tight finish Kittle, left deal with Trent Williams and fullback Kyle Juszczyk had been All-Execs. Brandon Aiyuk was a second-team All-Professional. Samuel is a flexible, do-everything participant.
The 49ers have loads of weapons, and coach Kyle Shanahan is thought for locating modern methods to make use of them and preserve defenses off stability. He’s dealing with a grasp tactician in Spagnuolo.
It’ll be a chess match.
Spagnuolo has a penchant for blitzing. Purdy excelled in opposition to it.
The 49ers have to dam Jones, who could be a game-wrecker. McDuffie is a shutdown slot cornerback and Sneed allowed just one receiver all season to have greater than 50 yards receiving in a sport so Purdy has a tricky process.
He led the NFL with a 113.0 passer ranking on 4,280 yards, 31 TDs, 11 picks and a 69.4% completion price. McCaffrey led the NFL with 1,459 yards dashing and had 14 dashing TDs for San Francisco. He additionally had 564 yards receiving for seven scores.
Kittle had 65 catches for 1,020 yards and 6 TDs. Aiyuk led the way in which with 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and 7 scores. Samuel had 1,117 yards from scrimmage.
A wild card for San Francisco’s offense is Purdy’s shocking mobility. His scrambling was a significant component as he led comeback wins in opposition to the Lions and Packers within the playoffs.
The Chiefs shut down two-time MVP Lamar Jackson, one of the best working QB within the NFL, in order that they’ll be prepared for Purdy.
WHEN THE CHIEFS HAVE THE BALL
The Chiefs had the league’s sixth-ranked passing offense behind Mahomes and Nineteenth-ranked dashing assault. The 49ers had been 14th in opposition to the cross and third in opposition to the run, however they’ve allowed 13 of 25 third-down conversions within the playoffs.
Mahomes is an excellent playmaker who finds distinctive methods to make large performs when it appears nothing is offered. The 2-time NFL and Tremendous Bowl MVP threw for 4,183 yards with 27 touchdowns, a career-high 14 interceptions and career-low 92.6 passer ranking. His receivers dropped 44 passes, probably the most within the league.
The Chiefs’ offense runs by way of Mahomes and Kelce. With out a deep menace — Tyreek Hill was traded to Miami two years in the past — Reid has turned the passing offense right into a shorter, carve-up assault.
Rashee Rice has the power to show screens into large performs and veteran Marquez Valdes-Scantling has averaged 21.6 yards per catch within the playoffs.
Kelce had 93 catches for 984 yards and 5 TDs within the common season and he has taken his sport to a different degree within the playoffs, with 23 catches for 262 yards and three scores in three video games. Rice had 79 receptions for 938 yards and 7 TDs within the common season.
The Chiefs have to make use of working again Isiah Pacheco to stability the offense. He ran for 935 yards and 7 TDs within the common season, and he has 254 yards and three scores within the playoffs.
Reid is likely one of the NFL’s most artistic coaches, and he’s prepared so as to add new wrinkles within the largest video games. Kansas Metropolis once more gained’t have All-Professional left guard Joe Thuney and the offensive line has an enormous problem defending Mahomes from Bosa, Hargrave and the remainder of San Francisco’s cross rush.
Warner and Dre Greenlaw can management of the center of the sector and restrict a few of Kelce’s alternatives, forcing the Chiefs to assault exterior.
Mahomes can at all times make performs together with his legs. He scrambled for 26 first downs within the common season. Taking part in on an injured ankle in final yr’s Tremendous Bowl, he had an enormous scramble on Kansas Metropolis’s go-ahead drive in a comeback win over Philadelphia.
If the 49ers convey the warmth and switch up the stress like Tampa Bay did in opposition to Mahomes within the Tremendous Bowl three years in the past, that might be hassle for the Chiefs.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Niners rookie kicker Jake Moody was 21 of 25 on discipline targets within the common season, however he’s appeared shaky within the playoffs, with two misses in 5 tries. His longest discipline aim was 57 yards.
Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker made 33 of 35 discipline targets within the common season, together with all 5 from past 50 yards. He hasn’t missed within the playoffs, making seven discipline targets and 7 additional factors. Butker’s 27-yard discipline aim with 8 seconds left gave the Chiefs a 38-35 win over Philadelphia in final season’s Tremendous Bowl.
San Francisco punter Mitch Wishnowsky had a 42.7-yard internet common. Kansas Metropolis’s Tommy Townsend had a 41.9-yard internet common.
The Chiefs use Mecole Hardman and Richie James for returns. Hardman had the longest punt return at 50 yards and James had the longest kick return at 31.
The 49ers will generally use Samuel on kick returns, with Ray-Ray McCloud getting many of the returns on punts and kicks.
COACHING
Shanahan is 8-3 within the playoffs and 0-2 in Tremendous Bowls, together with one as an assistant. His 49ers blew a lead in opposition to the Chiefs on this sport 4 years in the past and he was offensive coordinator for Atlanta when the Falcons blew a 28-3 lead in opposition to Tom Brady and the Patriots in Tremendous Bowl 51.
Reid is a possible future Corridor of Famer. He already has two Tremendous Bowl rings and is the winningest coach within the historical past of the Chiefs and Eagles.
INTANGIBLES
The 49ers initially had been 2 1/2 favorites, however the line dropped to 1 1/2 on Saturday, in response to FanDuel Sportsbook. They’ve been favored in each sport this season. The Chiefs have embraced the underdog function within the playoffs, occurring the highway to beat Buffalo and Baltimore.
Reid and Mahomes are chasing Invoice Belichick and Brady. They’ve bought to win 4 extra Tremendous Bowls to match them.
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Republished with permission of The Related Press.
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