Kansas City Chiefs: Getting to know 49ers before Super Bowl LIV

On Sunday evening, the NFL season comes to a close as the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers face one another for glory in Miami in Super Bowl LIV.

Before the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers wrap an incredible season with what I hope is an equally incredible Super Bowl, I reached out to Justin Fried, the expert at Golden Gate Sports, with some questions regarding the Niners and the match-up.

Justin, as he did before the Chiefs Week 13 game against the Raiders, took the time to answer all of my questions complete with a final prediction at the end. Make sure to check out Golden Gate Sports ahead of Sunday for more insight into 49ers.

Here’s our conversation.

Cullen: The San Francisco 49ers have had a bit of a rough go since Jim Harbaugh left for Michigan. There was one 5-11 season under Jim Tomsula followed by an even worse 2-14 year under Chip Kelly, in 2016. In Kyle Shanahan’s first two season at the helm, the 49ers went just 10-22. So, how surprised are you to see San Francisco in the Super Bowl this season?

Justin: It really is amazing to see the 49ers back in the Super Bowl. Fans expected improvement going into 2019 and there was even optimism that they could be playoff contenders, but I don’t think anyone saw this coming. [Quarterback] Jimmy Garoppolo’s return provided optimism, so too did the offseason additions of Nick Bosa, Dee Ford, and Kwon Alexander—among others. But no one saw this level of improvement coming. No one.

Cullen: The Niners are 5-1 all-time in the Super Bowl with all five victories coming with Hall of Fame quarterbacks (Joe Montana and Steve Young) at the helm. What’s your level of confidence that Garoppolo can join such elite company?

Justin: No one is going to argue that Jimmy Garoppolo is on the level of Joe Montana and Steve Young, but he doesn’t have to be. Garoppolo has proven this year that’s he’s capable of carrying the offense—and the team—to victory if need be.

This 49ers team could beat you in so many different ways and even if Garoppolo isn’t Patrick Mahomes, I think it’s a stretch to say he’s a weak point of the team. The turnovers are a problem and that’s where he could lose this game for them. I’m confident in his ability to make plays and win the game if need be, but I’m less confident in his ball security if the 49ers struggle to establish a ground game.

Cullen: Speaking of that run game, Raheem Mostert is quite the story. What’s enabled him to have the season he’s enjoyed?

Justin: Mostert’s really come alive as the season has gone on and he truly is an inspirational story. But I’m actuality, it’s the scheme around him that’s allowed him to be so successful—on top of his natural talent, of course. Kyle Shanahan has redefined the smashmouth offense through the use of agile offensive linemen, pre-snap motion, and one-cut running backs who could make plays in space with their outstanding speed.

Mostert is a product of that system and he’s playing his role to perfection. He fits the scheme Shanahan runs and he’s putting up career numbers as a result. Mostert should absolutely be given credit for his recent success, but let’s not ignore Shanahan, the offensive line, and George Kittle for making his success possible.