Kansas City Chiefs: Six things to watch vs 49ers in Super Bowl LIV
The Kansas City Chiefs are playing in the final NFL game of the year this Sunday when they square off against the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV. What should Chiefs fans be watching for in the season finale?
*EDITOR’S NOTE – Cameron Black, the staff member who wrote this, is blind, but has a great feel for the game, even without his vision. This article was written with the help of a screen reader.*
The storylines fans keep hearing repeat themselves about Super Bowl Liv are about how it’s the most evenly matched Super Bowl and the best defense versus best offense in a championship game. While I agree, in the interest of digging a little deeper, let’s look at both teams and see what other storylines emerge from this heavy weight match-up of the high flying Kansas City Chiefs versus the ground and pound defensive powerhouse San Francisco 49ers.
IN THE TRENCHES
One of the most repeated lines of coach speak is “football games are won in the trenches” or “at the line of scrimmage” and it is a staple in coach speeches because it is true. It is clearly visible when looking at the Niners defensive line going up against the Chiefs offensive line.
There is no sense in denying the power of the Niner defensive line. It has some absolute studs rolling on it, including guys like likely Defensive Rookie of the Year Nick Bosa, Solomon Thomas, DeForest Buckner, Arik Armstead, and of course Dee Ford. They have accounted for 57 sacks this season including the postseason.
San Francisco decimated the Vikings in the Divisional Round, sacking Kirk Cousins six times and sacking Aaron Rodgers an additional three times in the title game. They posted 48 sacks during the regular season, proving they are a force of nature.
This Chiefs offensive line has turned into one of the best in the league though. Patrick Mahomes usually has time to do his taxes and make a sandwich back there, as the o-line has done such a fantastic job in holding up the pocket for him, especially during the postseason (Mahomes has only been sacked twice in the last two games).
The return of Eric Fisher from injury was a turning point, providing Mahomes with that blindside protection. In fact, a little known but rather telling stat, the Chiefs are 10-0 when Fisher is where he is supposed to be, at that left tackle spot.
Mitchell Schwartz has been manhandling defensive linemen as always and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has been making his rounds, but in the words of voice of Mitch Holthus, “Instead of checking your blood pressure, he is just going to pancake you.”
This Chiefs offensive line has been slowing building their confidence all year, constructing a super confident, highly energetic and very physical unit that is ready to get their hands dirty and give Showtime Mahomes plenty of time to make those plays that have earned him that nickname.