The San Francisco 49ers are back in the Super Bowl. After having the number two pick in the draft, Jimmy G. and company are one win away from the Lombardi trophy. With a fierce pass rush and a top ranked running game, the 49ers have all the tools needed to win Super Bowl LIV.
Championship-Caliber Defense
Richard Sherman wanted to bet on himself and he is cashing in on it. Coming off an Achilles injury, Sherman represented himself and negotiated an incentive-laden contract. Putting his money where his mouth has always been Sherman’s speciality. The 49ers have had the best passing defense in the league and can easily handle the big three in Kansas City.
Defensive Rookie of the Year Nick Bosa has been the perfect compliment to San Francisco’s pass rush. Bosa already has three sacks in the postseason to go with nine from the regular season. He lines up with 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. This is by far the best defense Mahomes has faced and with two weeks of preparation they should be ready to contain him.
Run Game
To say the San Francisco 49ers rely on their run game to win games would be an understatement. In the NFC Championship game, Jimmy Garoppolo only attempted eight passes for 77 yards. San Francisco still put up 37 points.
The 49ers running back committee was the second ranked rushing offense in the league. Between Tevin Coleman, Matt Breida and Raheem Mostert, no team scored more rushing touchdowns. Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu referred to the three backs as a “three-headed monster“.
Mostert has some extra motivation to lift the Lombardi after being cut by six teams before finding a home in San Francisco. In the NFC Championship game he rushed for 220 yards and four touchdowns proving he deserves a spot in this league. He can look to silence his doubters with a Super Bowl ring today.
