49ers must overcome their nasty habit of slow starts

The 49ers have a nasty habit in big games, and if they bring it to Las Vegas, their Super Bowl dreams will almost certainly become a nightmare.

No one can quite explain why the 49ers have posted slow starts in their four biggest games of the season — at Philadelphia, vs. Baltimore, and both NFC playoff games — and the good news for the 49ers is that it has only brought about one loss.

But the Kansas City Chiefs are a different kind of opponent.

Spot them an early twoscore lead, and they will hold it until the confetti falls.

This season's edition of the Chiefs is not a super team. Up to the start of the playoffs, it became trendy to write them off as Super Bowl contenders — for good reason: The Chiefs' offense went from No. 1 last year (per DVOA) to No. 8 behind bad wide receiver play and even worse play from offensive tackles. Tight end Travis Kelce didn't look like his All-Pro self all season, and Mahomes didn't either. This team had taken a step back, and in the competitive AFC, that was perceived as tantamount to a death sentence.

And here's the thing: There hasn't been much improvement. Kelce might be playing better, but Kansas City still has so many of those issues heading into the Super Bowl.

The reason they are in the big game is because they are ruthless.

They might not have the firepower to beat any team they want anymore.

But in addition to one of the best defenses in the NFL, the Chiefs have the experience and knowledge to appropriately manage a game.

It's all very reminiscent of the Tom Brady Patriots.