ASSESSING WHO HAS THE EDGE
For The Win’s Henry McKenna sizes up the Super Bowl LIV matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers.
When the Chiefs pass
The NFL’s best passer, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, will get a look at the NFL’s best defense in the 49ers. He seemed to struggle physically after suffering a knee injury earlier this season, but Mahomes and his pass catchers have rediscovered their unstoppable groove from 2018 when Mahomes won the MVP award.
He and tight end Travis Kelce have a special unspoken chemistry.
Cornerback Richard Sherman is the vocal leader on a San Francisco defense that is masterful at generating takeaways and sacks and has unblockable talents on the defensive line, such as defensive end Nick Bosa. This matchup will be extremely competitive.
EDGE: Chiefs
When the Chiefs run
They haven’t really needed their running game. Mahomes, for example, led the team in rushing after busting off a 27yard touchdown run in the AFC championship game. Damien Williams is having a rough postseason yards-wise, so Kansas City has experimented with giving carries to Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins.
Surely, speedster Hardman is capable the same.
But the Chiefs’ issues between the tackles are likely to get worse. The 49ers’ run defense looks especially stout in the playoffs, when opponents have averaged 3.2 yards per carry. The defensive front that’s productive against the passing game can be just as menacing against productive running backs.
EDGE: 49ers
Mecole of doing
When the 49ers pass
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo hasn’t been entirely trustworthy in pressure situations, so the 49ers tend to go away from him when they can.
He’s averaging just 104 passing yards per game in the postseason (and threw just eight passes in the NFC championship game). That said, the 49ers boast three impressive pass catchers in receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Deebo Samuel and tight end George Kittle. Considering his contributions as a blocker, Kittle is the best tight end in the game. He helps Garoppolo own the middle of the field with the team’s quick passing attack.
Steve Spagnuolo, hired after the 2018 season to fix Kansas