Super Bowl LIV will see the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers meet Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, (FL). The NFC West champions come in on quite the roll and have numerous ways to earn the ring. Here are some of them:
5. Running game will dominate
The Niners have rushed for 471 yards in the postseason. If San Francisco can get stick to its running game, Kansas City will have problems. The Chiefs were 26th overall in rushing defense in the regular season. Every team below them failed to make the playoffs. Raheem Mostert and his fellow backs can take off, eat clock and keep Patrick Mahomes on the sidelines.
4. Secondary thwarts Mahomes
The Niners led the NFL in pass defense, allowing 169.2 yards per game, double-digits better than any other team. That is a combination of an overall solid unit but also a tribute to the secondary. Getting Kwon Alexander back in the NFL Championship for the linebacker corps ratchets the defense up many levels. When he was out, SF allowed 100 yards more per game. He’s back and so is the defense’s mojo.
3. Kittle crumbles Chiefs
George Kittle has been quiet in the first two playoff games. There has been no need for San Francisco to feed the tight end. Another Bay Area TE, Darren Waller of the Raiders, had 163 receiving yards on 13 catches in two games against KC. That kind of vulnerability is something Kyle Shanahan and Jimmy Garappolo can capitalize upon.
2. Punter can flip the field
Mitch Wishnowsky is a silent threat for the Niners. He punted 52 times in the regular season and 23 of those pinned opponents inside the 20. Wishnowsky averaged 44.9 yards per kick. Those kind of numbers could make it a long day of long drives for Kansas City,
1. Defensive line will harass Mahomes
The San Francisco defense has come together as one of the scariest units in the NFL. And it is young. Don’t expect the Niners to be wowed by Patrick Mahomes’ passing prowess. Nick Bosa and his fellow linemen will pin their ears back and head straight for the great KC quarterback. The Niners can take advantge of Kansas City’s offensive line and the pressure will make a difference.
