Coaches can make all the difference in the Super Bowl, as evidenced by Bill Belichick, Don Shula, Tom Landry, Chuck Noll and many others who have been to the big game and succeeded. This year’s game features offensive minds on both teams, capable of controlling the entire game, and in Kansas City’s case – control one half and dominate the final score.
This game is simple – which team is going to execute on offense. Kyle Shanahan (Niners) and Andy Reid (Chiefs) are brilliant offensive coaches and they both like to utilize speed. So which team is capable of slowing the other one down?
San Francisco led the NFC in rushing yards while Kansas City led the AFC in passing yards. The Niners gain 71 percent of their yards on the ground while the Chiefs accumulate 73 percent of their yards through the air.
The 49ers have an excellent front four, leading the league’s second-best defense. How and when the Chiefs run the ball on Sunday might go a long way towards the final result. Kansas City may not even have to run – they called 31 pass plays against just six running plays on their way to seven consecutive touchdowns in the comeback vs. Houston that made people forget about a 24-0 deficit in the first quarter.
Patrick Mahomes loves track meets; it is Kansas City’s secret sauce to turn any game into a blowout, whether starting at the beginning of the first quarter or at any point of the game. No one has really been able to stop him; can the Niners be the first? Given the excellent San Francisco pass rush, Mahomes will undoubtedly have to rely on his incredible talent with scrambles and second-reaction plays, despite the fact that Reid will have an excellent plan to attack San Francisco on paper.
Whatever happens, it may come down to the play of the tight ends that decide the game. This is the first Super Bowl in which opposing tight ends each had 1,000 receiving yards during the regular season. The Niners’ George Kittle leads all tight ends in the league in yards after the catch. Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has 21 catches on throws of 15-plus yards this season, also the most in the league at the position.
In the end, big-time players make big-time plays in big-time games. Jimmy Garoppolo is one of the best young players in the league, but I think this is Mahomes’ time to shine. Andy Reid has been on this stage once before with the Eagles and fell short. He’s the sentimental pick among many long-time fans, executives, players and colleagues. I see a Chiefs’ game-winning drive led by Mahomes, and an emotional ride for Reid off the field on the shoulders of his players.
The best part – this should be a great game. Chiefs 31, Niners 30
