02/02/2020 - 11:00
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It's been a while since the last time a Super Bowl seemed so hard to predict. Sunday's meeting between the San Francisco 49ers , National Conference champions, and the Kansas City Chiefs , American monarchs, is for anyone.
The record between these two franchises gives a slight predominance of San Francisco 49ers to Kansas City Chiefs by 7 to 6. Both arrive after a great exhibition in the Conference Finals: the Chiefs again traced the score to beat the 35-24 at Tennessee Titans to be crowned in the American Conference , while the 49ers crushed the Green Bay Packers 37-20 in the National final .
For Kansas City Chiefs it will be the return to the Super Bowl after 50 years, as his last participation was in the 1969, where they got their only title. Prior to that, the Chiefs participated in Super Bowl I, where they lost 35-10 to the Packers.
Field Marshal Patrick Mahomes (15) of Kansas City Chiefs. (AP Photo / Ed Zurga, File)
In the case of San Francisco, this will be his seventh participation in the most important game in the NFL; the 49ers have won in five of their six appearances, with their most recent title in 1994. In 2013 it was the last time they came to the duel for the ring, losing 34-31 to the Baltimore Ravens.
Here, a face to face strengths and weaknesses.
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Source: NFL Infographic: CLARÍN
When the Chiefs have the ball
It is not difficult to guess how the Chiefs are going to undertake a game. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) will test the defense with his arm and his ability to read what happens. It has decisive weapons on Tyreek Hill (10) and Sammy Watkins (14) receivers, which means that individual coverage on any of them is a risky bet. The tight end Travis Kelce (87) is a machine to produce first downs.
Damien Williams (26) is the key in the backfield and comes from two exceptional postseason performances, although Mahomes has often been the best carrier, creating spaces the way he did in the final of the American with a brilliant carry next to the band for the touchdown of the advantage.
Nick Bosa (97), San Francisco 49ers defender, key in the team that will look for his sixth NFL title.Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
That leaves the burden on the Niners of being effective in pressuring the pin, something they have done virtually every week. They will harass Mahomes with a frontal septet led by Nick Bosa (97) , a fortress at the end.
Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (99) has had a solid impact, and linebackers Fred Warner (54) and Kwon Alexander (56) look formidable, who is finally healthy. Having defensive end Dee Ford (55), who was with the Chiefs the previous campaign, strengthens the group.
In front they will have the challenge of a good offensive line from Kansas City, led by tackles Mitchell Schwartz (71) on the right and Eric Fisher (72) on the left. If that offensive line resists, San Francisco may face difficulties in coverage for the fast receivers of the Chiefs. Cornerback Richard Sherman (25) is still excellent, but the rest of the high school is not at that level.
Presentation of the 54th Super Bowl, final of the NFL football game between Kansas City and San Francisco, on Sunday, February 2 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami - AFP / AFP
When the 49ers have the ball
After seeing the exceptional night of Raheem Mostert (31) runner against Green Bay, the Chiefs should be alert to what is usually a three-edged attack. Tevin Coleman (26), if he is healthy, and Matt Breida (22) give quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo options in the backfield, although Mostert is certainly the main one.
Running back Raheem Mostert celebrates after the win that led to the final at San Francisco 49ers (AP Photo / Tony Avelar)
The three operate behind a line of veterans headed by left tackle Joe Staley (74) and right Mike McGlinchey. Kyle Juszczyk (44) is the best NFL fullback for blocks and receptions.
If the Niners carry the ball efficiently, that would create spaces for tight end George Kittle (85), the most dynamic offensive player they have. Kittle is the type of player who will force the Chiefs to use double coverage at times. Safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) is going to be measured a lot with Kittle, and safety Daniel Sorensen (49), who shined in the playoffs, will also be in the fight.
Covering receivers Emmanuel Sanders (17), Kendrick Bourne (84) and rookie Deebo Samuel (19), who is imposing attacking in the middle, is another thing that the Chiefs will have to deal with. That will require large contributions from Chris Jones (92) and Frank Clark (55) and linebackers Anthony Hitchens (53) and Damien Wilson (54).
Special teams
Kansas City has a dangerous player when kicking back, Mecole Hadman (19). He is one of the fastest men in the NFL. The rookie is nevertheless anxious to return the ball, which can lead to bad decisions.
Harrison Butker (7) is reliable in field goals, with good reach. But he missed three extra points, one less than his field goal failures. Veteran punter Dustin Colquitt (2) was blocked one of his kicks by the Texans for a touchdown, but is usually effective.
So is Robbie Gould (9), on the side of San Francisco, in his fifteenth campaign as a professional. He already played a Super Bowl with the Bears in 2007, so the stage wouldn't make him nervous.
Clearance kicker Mitch Wishnowsky is finishing just his first season in the NFL. Richie James was fifth overall in return kicks and clearings by the 49ers, but he doesn't usually make plays that change the course of a game, like the ones Kansas City can get.
The role of coaches
Kyle Shanahan , in his third year in command, has achieved an amazing rebound with the 49ers, who were penultimate in 2018 (his prize was Bosa in the draft) and will now play his seventh Super Bowl. His versatile attack has been solid, and the defense coordinated by Robert Saleh has looked impenetrable on many occasions.
San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan at Super Bowl 54. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The front line is superb and Saleh, like Shanahan, is aggressive throughout the match. This was evident in the last two weeks.
Andy Reid lost the Super Bowl with Philadelphia in 2005, but now he has a better team. He has handled Mahomes masterfully, and dominates the schemes that make the Kansas City attack the most dangerous. He had the wisdom to incorporate an aggressive defensive coordinator after last year's debacle in that unit prevented the Chiefs from coming to the superdomingo.
The Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach, Andy Reid, speaks to the press before Super Bowl LIV.Photo: Mark Brown / Getty Images / AFP
It was a while before Steve Spagnuolo's system worked, but the defense looked solid in the second half of two playoff games. Despite this, Kansas City must take care not to be disadvantaged again.
With AP information