It’s officially Big Game day! The Kansas City Chiefs are all set to face off against the San Francisco 49ers in Miami, FL for the Lombardi trophy. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are ready to avenge last year’s heartbreaking end with a win for Kansas City. Last season, the Chiefs headed to OT against the New England Patriots. Mahomes did not even get to touch the ball as Tom Brady led his team to a touchdown on their first possession. Mahomes is back after having another incredible season with a defense that is can hold off opponents when needed.
Patrick Mahomes
How do you stop a fully healthy Patrick Mahomes? Nobody in the NFL has solved that yet and it will be up to the 49ers defense to solve the mystery. Mahomes who threw all of five interceptions in the regular season has only gotten better in the postseason.
After coming up just short last season in OT in the AFC Championship game, Mahomes and the Chiefs belong here. This team won eight straight to finish the season and have not looked back in the postseason. The most impressive part? They have fallen behind to their opponents early, but always managed to stay composed and come back to win.
In the postseason, Mahomes is completing over 65 percent of his passes with eight touchdowns. All of his big receivers, Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins and Travis Kelce, have also stepped up.
Surging Defense
For the Chiefs to win, they will have to find a way to stop tight end George Kittle. The All-Pro tight end has been huge all season for 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. The 49ers have also gotten it done with their running game. Last week, the Chiefs were able to bottle up the leading rusher Derrick Henry for just 69 yards. Henry, who already had 377 yards in the postseason, gave credit to the Chiefs and their run defense. His longest run of the game was just 13 yards.
The defensive backfield is led by safety Tyrann Mathieu. Mathieu can be a presence anywhere on the field and they will need him to play fast and loose. Despite only being his first season in Kansas City, the Honey Badger has already been looked at like a leader. He provided that much needed upgrade to the Chiefs’ defense.
[…] Dee Ford, Arik Armstead and DeForect Buckner, all first round draft picks. They will have to make Patrick Mahomes uncomfortable all day. While no team has been able to do it all season, the 49ers are different. […]