For Reid, a chance to exhale
Reid finally wins the big one
Andy Reid’s reputation was that he can’t win the big games, the ones where everything is at stake, and that wasn’t going away until the legendary coach — who possesses a 207-128-1 overall record — finally won a Super Bowl. The blemish on his resume can finally be removed from Reid’s Hall of Fame career courtesy of Sunday’s victory over the 49ers. With Patrick Mahomes at quarterback this might his first off many.
San Francisco’s pressure wasn’t enough
The 49ers consistently hounded Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, producing four sacks and nearly a dozen quarterback hits. But when it counted Kansas City’s athletic quarterback was able to scramble around and buy his offense time, delivering big plays that helped the Chiefs pull off an impressive 10-point fourth-quarter comeback.
Old school football still works
The Chiefs unleashed the single-T formation in the first quarter, setting up the touchdown from the 1-yard line after Damien Williams took a direct handoff that gained 4-yards. Patrick Mahomes took the next snap and rolled out to his right with Williams trailing behind him prepared to catch a pitch. The 49ers also incorporated many old school football players, even utilizing a fullback on more than a dozen plays, which provides evidence that the old school ground-and-pound approach still works.
Shanahan’s calls plays like his daddy
Kyle Shanahan’s play-calling was a throwback to the days his father won Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos in the 1997 and 1998. The 49ers offensive line created massive creases with their zone scheme and cut blocking and Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman were making the best out of those creases, generating 141 rushing yards on 22 carries. When Kansas City crept up to play the run lanes the 49ers would hit them with a play-action pass.
Samuel sets NFL rushing record for receivers
San Francisco receiver Deebo Samuel passed Percy Harvin, generating the most rushing yards in Super Bowl history on Sunday than Harvin’s record of 30 yards, which was set in the 2014 Super Bowl. Samuel gained 53 yards on three carries, mostly on end-around runs and gimmick plays. The former South Carolina standout the 49ers selected in the second round of the 2019 draft was billed as a versatile football player and the 49ers finally utilized him that way. In the regular season, Samuel carried the ball 14 times, gaining 159 yards and scoring three rushing touchdowns.