Young QB the key for Chiefs
THE Kansas City Chiefs chase their first Super Bowl title in 50 years today when they face the San Francisco 49ers in a championship clash poised to usher in a new era for the NFL.
The showdown could mark a changing of the guard for the NFL’s quarterback hierarchy as the curtain comes down on the league’s 100th season.
With Tom Brady and the New England Patriots failing to reach the Super Bowl for the first time since 2016, the stage is set for the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes, right, to crown his emergence as the best quarterback in the league.
The gifted 24-year-old Texan could become the second-youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl if he leads the Chiefs to victory in only his second full season as a starter.
Mahomes, who became only the second quarterback in history to amass 5000 passing yards and 50 touchdowns in a season in 2018, has cut a relaxed figure this week.
“I’m going to go out there and try and have fun and play the way I’ve played all season long,” Mahomes said.
True to form, Mahomes and his teammates laughed and joked their way through a final practice session under the watchful eye of veteran head coach Andy Reid.
“They’re loose, to a point,” Reid said of his team. “They know the job at hand against a real good football team, but at the same time, we try to let our personalities show.
“That has been an emphasis, and I don’t expect them to stop doing that now.”
Attempting to frustrate Mahomes and the Chiefs are a 49ers unit chasing a recordequalling sixth Super Bowl.
Led by the 28-year-old quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo – who won two Super Bowl rings during his stint as a back-up to Brady in New England – the 49ers boast a fearsome defence which will attempt to knock Mahomes off his stride.
Garoppolo has an array of weapons at his disposal.
Against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game, the 49ers blew away their opponents with a ground game that saw running back Raheem Mostert rush for four touchdowns and more than 200 yards.
On the defensive side, the 49ers boast a fearsome pass rush led by Nick Bosa, who was given a pre-Super Bowl fillip after being named rookie of the year at the NFL’s annual awards.
The 49ers are also bound to have a few offensive tricks up their sleeve as they prepare under the guidance of head coach Kyle Shanahan, one of the most innovative minds in the NFL.
But Shanahan’s wizardry may prove moot if the 49ers defence is unable to contain Mahomes and a Chiefs offence bristling with pace in the form of receiver Tyreek Hill and power in the shape of tight end Travis Kelce.