NFL · 1 year ago

How the 49ers Can Beat the Chiefs: 5 Keys to Super Bowl Victory

Grant White

Host · Writer

Unleash Fred Warner
Over the past four seasons, we've seen the best that Fred Warner has to offer. The 49ers linebacker has been named to the All-Pro team in three of those four seasons while coming up with pivotal plays week after week. Warner has saved his best for the postseason. If he can level up his performance in the Super Bowl, there will be no stopping the Niners.

In two playoff games, Warner has totaled 20 tackles, two tackles for a loss, and a pass deflection, serving as a catalyst on defense. Throughout the season, we've seen Warner do it all. The 27-year-old has four interceptions, four forced fumbles, 2.5 sacks, and 11 pass deflections, all while leading the team in tackles.

At +14000, Warner is worth a flyer as the Super Bowl MVP. He consistently delivers and is the team leader on defense. For San Francisco to come out on top, their defense must stand tall. Unleashing Fred Warner gives them the best chance of claiming the title.
Contain Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce
The Kansas City Chiefs have built their dynasty on extracting maximum value from Patrick Mahomes. The two-time MVP has engineered all of the Chiefs' drives and points, often turning to Travis Kelce as his de facto passing option. Finding a way to corral both is essential for the San Francisco 49ers.

Thankfully, a couple of teams have laid out the blueprints for how to contain Mahomes, and the answer is as simple as you may have thought -- you just have to disrupt his timing.

In a 21-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Mahomes was hit nine times, forcing him to rush throws and make bad decisions. In that contest, the Chiefs quarterback completed 55.8% of throws for 177 yards. Subsequently, the Buffalo Bills held Mahomes to a 58.1% completion rate in Week 14, hitting him eight times.

There's a reason why Mahomes is the betting favorite in the Super Bowl MVP market. He continues to thrive in the postseason, and in three playoff games, Mahomes has been sacked just twice and hit 15 times.

Nick Bosa and the 49ers defensive line have their work cut out for them, but they'll need to get to Mahomes to give their team a chance at walking away with the win.
Dictate Pace/Control the Clock
One of the Chiefs' most prominent weapons in the postseason has been Isiah Pacheco. The former seventh-round draft pick has totaled 63 carries in three playoff games, helping KC dominate possession in two of three contests. Keeping Pacheco and the Chiefs' offense off the field lessens the amount of time they have to inflict damage.

Kansas City held onto the ball for 37:30 in the AFC Championship Game, preventing Lamar Jackson from getting his team moving. Moreover, when he did have the ball, there was an urgency to try and pick up yards in big chunks. Consequently, Jackson made several significant mistakes, turning the ball back over to the Chiefs.

San Francisco can avoid those pitfalls by dictating pace and controlling the clock. With Christian McCaffrey leading the way on offense, keeping the ball out of the Chiefs' hands gives the Niners a substantive advantage.
Don't Let Brock Purdy Come Out Flat
The 49ers path to Super Bowl LVIII didn't come easily. San Francisco was forced to mount comebacks in both of their playoff games, staking their opponents to early leads. Brock Purdy contributed to those deficits, and it's imperative that he doesn't come out flat on Sunday.

Purdy's first halves have been nothing short of disastrous. He's led the Niners to a combined 14 points in the first half of both outings before mounting game-winning drives in the fourth quarter. Simply, the 49ers can't operate under those circumstances against the Chiefs and expect to win.

Kyle Shanahan must develop a game plan that maximizes Purdy's efficiency early in the contest. Purdy has some very reachable player props, but only if he delivers a full 60-minute effort. San Francisco has a deep playbook, and making sure Purdy is comfortable operating within those parameters without making mistakes is crucial.
Incorporate Everybody on Offense
McCaffrey gets a lot of the glory regarding the Niners' offensive accomplishments, but there is a long list of players who have made significant contributions. Kansas City can defend them all, and finding a way to incorporate everybody on offense tilts the balances in San Francisco's favor.

Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Brandon Aiyuk all have receiving yard props above 49.5. That's without considering McCaffrey's rushing prop of 91.5 or any of the tertiary players, like Elijah Mitchell, Kyle Juszczyk, or Jauan Jennings.

There is no shortage of playmakers on the offensive side of the ball. San Francisco can keep the Chiefs guessing by mixing up their playcalling and going deep into the playbook to find ways of getting everyone touches.
Unleash Fred Warner
Over the past four seasons, we've seen the best that Fred Warner has to offer. The 49ers linebacker has been named to the All-Pro team in three of those four seasons while coming up with pivotal plays week after week. Warner has saved his best for the postseason. If he can level up his performance in the Super Bowl, there will be no stopping the Niners.

In two playoff games, Warner has totaled 20 tackles, two tackles for a loss, and a pass deflection, serving as a catalyst on defense. Throughout the season, we've seen Warner do it all. The 27-year-old has four interceptions, four forced fumbles, 2.5 sacks, and 11 pass deflections, all while leading the team in tackles.

At +14000, Warner is worth a flyer as the Super Bowl MVP. He consistently delivers and is the team leader on defense. For San Francisco to come out on top, their defense must stand tall. Unleashing Fred Warner gives them the best chance of claiming the title.
Contain Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce
The Kansas City Chiefs have built their dynasty on extracting maximum value from Patrick Mahomes. The two-time MVP has engineered all of the Chiefs' drives and points, often turning to Travis Kelce as his de facto passing option. Finding a way to corral both is essential for the San Francisco 49ers.

Thankfully, a couple of teams have laid out the blueprints for how to contain Mahomes, and the answer is as simple as you may have thought -- you just have to disrupt his timing.

In a 21-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Mahomes was hit nine times, forcing him to rush throws and make bad decisions. In that contest, the Chiefs quarterback completed 55.8% of throws for 177 yards. Subsequently, the Buffalo Bills held Mahomes to a 58.1% completion rate in Week 14, hitting him eight times.

There's a reason why Mahomes is the betting favorite in the Super Bowl MVP market. He continues to thrive in the postseason, and in three playoff games, Mahomes has been sacked just twice and hit 15 times.

Nick Bosa and the 49ers defensive line have their work cut out for them, but they'll need to get to Mahomes to give their team a chance at walking away with the win.

How the 49ers Can Beat the Chiefs: 5 Keys to Super Bowl Victory

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