TALE OF THE TAPE
Chiefs 49ers
First season 1960* 1946** First playoff appearance 1962* 1949** Overall record 481-423-12 583-489-16 Playoff record 12-19 32-21 Conference titles 1 6
NFL titles 1 5 Super Bowl titles 1 5
Best team 1963 (11-3) 1984 (15-1) Worst team 2012 (2-14) 1978 (2-14) Points 28.2 29.3 Total offense 379.2 381.1 Yards per play 6.2 6
Rush offense 98.1 144.1 Pass offense 281.1 237 3rd-down pct. 48% 45% Time of possession 29:27 31:37 Giveaways 15 23 Total defense 349.6 281.8 Points allowed per game 19.2 19.4 Yards per play allowed 5.4 4.7 Rush defense 128.2 112.6 Pass defense 221.4 169.2 Opponents’ 3rd-down pct. 37 33 Opponents’ time of possession 30:33 29 Takeaways 23 27
*as Dallas Texans in AFL; **played in All-America Football Conference
City’s pass defense, has developed a sophisticated scheme meant to limit a quarterback’s options, and the secondary – notably strong safety Tyrann Mathieu and cornerbacks Kendall Fuller and Bashaud Breeland – is significantly more proficient than a year ago.
EDGE: Chiefs
When the 49ers run
Running backs Matt Breida and Raheem Mostert might be missing the third member of their productive trio. Tevin Coleman injured a shoulder during the NFC championship game. His health will be something to monitor ahead of the game. But the other two running backs have proved more than capable of replacing Coleman in the past. With Kittle and fullback Kyle Juszczyk blocking alongside a solid offensive line, the 49ers’ running backs are a devastating group.
The Chiefs’ defense has looked better in the postseason, allowing 4.1 yards per carry, which is especially impressive after Kansas City faced Titans running back Derrick Henry. But San Francisco has had an advantage running the ball in just about every game. It’ll be
the same in the Super Bowl. EDGE: 49ers
Special teams
Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker is coming off a terrific regular season and postseason. During the playoffs, the Chiefs haven’t needed him much (just one field goal attempt). But he should be sharp and efficient on Super Bowl Sunday. The 49ers’ Robbie Gould finished 32nd among kickers in field goal percentage (74.2%) during the regular season but has made all five of his attempts in the postseason. The 49ers’ Mitch Wishnowsky and the Chiefs’ Dustin Colquitt have been solid, though unspectacular, punting this season. Their teams haven’t needed them much.
EDGE: Chiefs
Coaching
Both head coaches are offensive-minded. But the strengths of their respective offenses couldn’t be more different. Andy Reid’s Chiefs run a new school passing offense that draws from the spread passing attacks that got popular in the college game. They feature two of the fastest wideouts in the game with Hill and Hardman. Kyle Shanahan, meanwhile, has adopted an old school approach with the running game. Even his receivers and tight ends run with a bruising style.
Reid has proved to be a liability as a game manager in crunchtime, while Shanahan seems to have learned from his gaffes in Super Bowl LI when he was the offensive coordinator for the Falcons. If it’s a tight game, Shanahan seems less likely to make a crucial error.
EDGE: 49ers
Venue
Hard Rock Stadium has a roof, but it’s open air, which will expose the teams to humidity, heat and potentially precipitation. That warmth probably won’t serve one team more than the other. As for proximity, Chiefs fans will have an advantage. Miami is an easier drive or flight. Surely, die-hard Kansas City fans will travel en masse. Their team hasn’t been in a Super Bowl in 50 years.
EDGE: Chiefs
Who’s hot
Mostert had 220 rushing yards in the NFC title game, setting a 49ers postseason record. His four rushing touchdowns weren’t bad either. For the 49ers, Bosa has three sacks, four quarterback hits and 10 tackles this postseason.
Chiefs safety Mathieu has looked excellent this postseason, whether it’s defending the pass, stopping the run or rushing the passer. He’s a truly versatile defender, with nine tackles, one tackle for loss and a pass breakup in the AFC title game. Mahomes, too, has been sensational this postseason, recording a 65.7% completion rate while averaging 307.5 passing yards, eight touchdowns and no interceptions.
Who’s not
Garoppolo hasn’t been hot. If anything, he’s getting cold from under-use. The 49ers simply haven’t needed him. They’re running over teams with their backs, and Garoppolo was 6 of 8
ED ZURGA/AP for 77 yards in the NFC championship game.
Perhaps Garoppolo’s presence in this section is a testament to just how complete the 49ers’ roster is. But he’s been extremely quiet this postseason. For the Chiefs, Williams hasn’t found much room. Their offensive line needs to block better – and against the hardest team to block in the NFL.