5 things to watch as the Chiefs play the 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII
from ArrowheadPride.com

Kansas City is looking to become the NFL’s first repeat champion in nearly two decades.

By Ron Kopp | @Ron_Kopp | Feb 10, 2024, 2:00pm CST

Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images

The 2023 NFL season will end in historic fashion at Super Bowl LVIII, a matchup between the (14-6) Kansas City Chiefs and the (14-5) San Francisco 49ers. The championship game will happen in Las Vegas, Nevada, for the first time ever, at Allegiant Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Arrowhead Time.

For the third consecutive game this postseason, the Chiefs enter the weekend as betting underdogs: the 49ers are two-point favorites, per DraftKings Sportsbook. San Francisco’s talent has made them the class of the NFL this season, and the oddsmakers believe that outweighs the experience the Chiefs have.

That experience is exactly what should motivate Kansas City the most: a win would set the franchise apart as one of four in NFL history to create a dynasty: three championships within five or six seasons. The Chiefs would also be the first repeat champion in 19 years.

I have five things to watch in an epic title fight:

1. Disrupting the 49ers’ rhythm on offense

Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images

No offense was more efficient this season than the 49ers’ squad, posting league-high marks in yards per play (6.6), yards per pass attempt (9.3), and rushing success rate (47%).

The last statistic is key: San Francisco’s run game is constantly keeping the offense ahead of the sticks, leaning on running back and Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey to maximize zone-blocking schemes consistently. The 49ers will use heavy personnel to create movement on these handoffs, forcing the Chiefs’ defense to match with three linebackers in formation.

The Chiefs’ hampered defensive line puts even more emphasis on the Chiefs’ linebackers. Along with safeties, these positions need to play with urgency and gap discipline, plugging all possible paths to open space. The side effect from that level of commitment is effective play action, widening throwing windows downfield.

That puts a lot of responsibility on cornerbacks L’Jarius Sneed, Trent McDuffie, and the entire Chiefs’ secondary to single-cover the 49ers’ playmakers. The group will push the line with physical coverage, trying to limit explosive catch-and-runs.

2. The Chiefs’ offense in attack mode

Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images

A big factor in the Chiefs’ playoff run has been the offensive line setting a tone up front. The playcalling has asked for more physicality from the linemen and other blockers, which sets up running back Isiah Pacheco to be the relentless battering ram he is.

That is exactly how the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions attacked the 49ers in the previous two playoff games. The San Francisco defense is more finesse than physical, especially up the middle: the defensive tackles penetrate a pocket better than they hold the line, while linebacker Fred Warner is more dangerous in space than he is in tight quarters.

Even with left guard Joe Thuney ruled out, the Chiefs’ interior offensive line thrives off a downhill run play. Then the switch-up would be to attack the perimeter of the defense with tight ends and pulling linemen. The 49ers have been run over both between the tackles and on toss sweeps this postseason.

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