The 49ers, despite going 13-3 in the regular season, go into Super Bowl LIV as the underdogs against the Chiefs. While the 49ers probably have the more talented roster on paper, Kansas City is extremely dangerous on both sides of the ball.
Here are four causes for concern for San Francisco going into the Super Bowl:
Patrick Mahomes
If there’s one major problem in this game for San Francisco, it’s the Chiefs’ quarterback. Mahomes is playing quarterback at a level that is sometimes impossible to defend. He negates strong pass rushes with his mobility and arm strength. His baseball background allows him to make off-balance throws from awkward arm angles that let him get throws off even with defenders around him.
For all the advantages San Francisco has, Mahomes can singlehandedly wreck that with his right arm. If they can hold him under 300 yards and three touchdowns, and somehow come up with an interception, they have a very good chance to win. If Mahomes starts rolling, the Chiefs are nearly impossible to beat.
Kansas City’s team speed
The Chiefs are fast. Mecole Hardman, Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins and Byron Pringle all fly and can all do damage in all three levels of the passing game.
In a game that should be tight, the Chiefs have so many players with game-breaking speed that it’s impossible to keep them all covered for any prolonged period. Combine that with Mahomes’ scrambling ability and arm strength to get the ball to those guys in any spot, and Kansas City’s offense has a recipe for a quick-strike offense that can flip the game in the blink of an eye.
Keeping those guys corralled and consistently met by multiple tacklers is going to be vital for the 49ers’ defense. If they let them get loose, it may be a long day for San Francisco.
Jimmy Garoppolo’s turnover issue
Garoppolo hasn’t had to throw much in the postseason, but barring a dramatic collapse from the Chiefs’ offense, that’s going to change Sunday. While Garoppolo has been more than capable of slinging the ball around the yard with success, that success typically comes with a turnover or two.
Ideally for 49ers, he won’t turn the ball over at all in Super Bowl. History says that’s not likely to happen if he has to throw it 35-plus times. The key will be to limit the turnovers if there is one, and to not have it in a key spot. A first-quarter interception is much less damaging than one late in the fourth.
If Garoppolo doesn’t turn it over at all, he’s capable of carrying the 49ers with his right arm. If he does start giving it away, it’ll be very tough for San Francisco to get a victory.
Chiefs pass rush
While much of the focus has been on Kansas City’s explosive offense, they have a couple of very good playmakers on their defensive line. Defensive tackle Chris Jones is healthy after dealing with a calf injury and among the best players in the league at his position. He’s the size of a defensive tackle, but moves like a defensive end. If he’s getting penetration inside, the 49ers won’t have success in any facet of their offense.
Frank Clark is a potential game wrecker on the edge. He’s a terrific pass rusher who’ll have a few chances to pin his ears back and fly off the corner, especially if Kansas City gets up early. Keeping Clark from putting his foot on the gas in the passing game has to be one of the major priorities for San Francisco going into the game.
