49ers vs. Chiefs: Who Has the Edge on Special Teams?

Overall Edge

Little separates the teams aside from their respective placekickers, where the Chiefs hold a decided edge. Harrison Butker, who hit the game-winning field goal for Kansas City in last year's Super Bowl, converted a career-best 94% (33-for-35) of his FG attempts and 100% (38-for-38) of his extra points during the regular season. Butker’s 89.14 career FG% is second only to Baltimore’s Justin Tucker in NFL history. He’s continued to be reliable this postseason, going a perfect 7-for-7.

Meanwhile, after replacing longtime veteran Robbie Gould, 2023 third-round rookie Jake Moody (84 FG%) has been up and down for San Fran. Moody has already missed two field goals this postseason, and it’s fair to wonder what his confidence level will be as he steps onto the game’s biggest stage.

Advantage: Chiefs

Punter

SF Mitch Wishnowsky

2023 Stats:

Yards Per Punt: 47.7
Net Yards Per Punt: 42.7
Longest Punt: 67 Yards
Percentage of Punts Downed Inside Opponent's 20 Yard Line: 50.0%

KC Tommy Townsend

2023 Stats:

Yards Per Punt: 47.1
Net Yards Per Punt: 41.9
Longest Punt: 68 Yards
Percentage of Punts Downed Inside Opponent's 20 Yard Line: 33.9%

Kick/Punt Returner

SF Ray-Ray McCloud

2023 Stats:

Punt Return Yards: 203
Yards Per Punt Return: 8.5
Kick Return Yards: 225
Yards Per Kick Return: 22.5

KC Richie James

2023 Stats:

Punt Return Yards: 200
Yards Per Punt Return: 10.0
Kick Return Yards: 187
Yards Per Kick Return: 20.8

Special Teams Coverage

49ers

2023 Stats:

Opponent Punt Return Yards: 220
Average Yards Per Punt Return: 10.0
Opponent Kick Return Yards: 746
Average Yards Per Kick Return: 23.3

Chiefs

2023 Stats:

Opponent Punt Return Yards: 207
Average Yards Per Punt Return: 10.35
Opponent Kick Return Yards: 311
Average Yards Per Kick Return: 28.2

Overall Edge

Little separates the teams aside from their respective placekickers, where the Chiefs hold a decided edge. Harrison Butker, who hit the game-winning field goal for Kansas City in last year's Super Bowl, converted a career-best 94% (33-for-35) of his FG attempts and 100% (38-for-38) of his extra points during the regular season. Butker’s 89.14 career FG% is second only to Baltimore’s Justin Tucker in NFL history. He’s continued to be reliable this postseason, going a perfect 7-for-7.

Meanwhile, after replacing longtime veteran Robbie Gould, 2023 third-round rookie Jake Moody (84 FG%) has been up and down for San Fran. Moody has already missed two field goals this postseason, and it’s fair to wonder what his confidence level will be as he steps onto the game’s biggest stage.

Advantage: Chiefs