Two of the NFL’s heavyweights set to clash in Super Bowl
Avery McGrail, Staff Writer
Photo courtesy of Unsplash.com
The Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers are two of the most storied franchises in NFL history. The Chiefs played in Super Bowl I, and won Super Bowl IV only a few years later. The 49ers have played in six Super Bowls and won all but one that they’ve taken part in. The two clubs have combined to win 42 playoff games, honor 50 Hall of Fame players, and collect six Lombardi trophies.
It certainly has not been all sunshine and roses for the two teams, though. The Chiefs have not played for an NFL championship in 50 years, and the 49ers have not won one since 1994. The only time either of these two teams have played in the Super Bowl during the 21st century was in Super Bowl XLVIII, when the 49ers lost to the Baltimore Ravens on last-minute 4th and goal incomplete pass.
Last year, the Chiefs came close to reaching the big game, but lost to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in overtime in the AFC Championship Game. For many years, very little has gone right for either of these franchises.
But, now they’ve made it. After trouncing their respective competition throughout the season, these two NFL powerhouses are ready to duel on the game’s biggest stage.
Super Bowl LIV, which will be taking place in Miami, Fla. on February 2 will be an spectacle featuring two teams with enough speed and skill to eliminate any memory remaining from the last Super Bowl’s sleep-inducing Patriots’ 13-3 victory.
Both the 49ers and the Chiefs have played consistently well all season, thanks to strong quarterback play and innovative coaching.
Both Jimmy Garappolo (49ers’ QB) and Patrick Mahomes (KC’s QB) have acted as saviors for their respective franchises. For Mahomes, this began last season, electrifying the league with his play-making ability that stemmed from both his passing accuracy elusive quickness. After winning league MVP at age 23 and bringing the Chiefs to the AFC Championship last year, Mahomes delivered this season with a 65.9 completion percentage, totaling over 4,000 passing yards and 26 touchdowns, with only five interceptions all year.
Garappolo has brought consistency to the QB position in Santa Clara, after the 49ers struggled for several years since the height of the Colin Kaepernick era. After getting injured in game three of the 2018 season (coincidentally against the Chiefs), Garappolo returned this season and delivered, posting a 69.1 passing percentage with 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Mahomes has electrified during these playoffs, throwing eight touchdowns in only two games, leading the Chiefs to double-digit comebacks against both the Texans and the Titans. He’s kept his talented receiving core, featuring dominant All-Pro TE Travis Kelce, talented (but tainted) Tyreek Hill, young Mecole Hardman and speedy Sammy Watkins, very busy through the playoffs.
Garappolo has plenty of talent to work with as well, but has been reduced to a game-manager role for the playoffs so far. During the 49ers 37-20 blowout of the Green Bay Packers championship weekend, Garappolo completed only six of eight passes and let RB Rasheem Mostert run all over instead, totaling 220 yards and four touchdowns.
The Chiefs have the more talented offense undoubtedly that has proven they can blow past almost any challenger, while the 49ers have a (slightly) more complete team that has proven they can adapt to any game situation.
Both teams play to their strengths, and this is due to the innovative game planning coming from their head coaches. Andy Reid and Kyle Shanahan are two of the smartest minds in all of football, and each will be looking for redemption on the Super Bowl stage. Reid has been an excellent regular season throughout the duration of his career but has consistently fallen short in the playoffs. This is only his second Super Bowl, and is his first since 2004, where he lost to the still-young Patriots machine.
Reid’s legacy, in the eyes of many, is marred until he finally wins a Lombardi trophy. Shanahan is known for his offensive genius and led the 2016 Atlanta Falcons to an infamous 28-3 lead in Super Bowl LI before making several inexcusable calls that contributed to an inexplicable Patriots (they show up a lot) comeback that haunts Atlanta faithful to this day.
Both coaches have learned from their mistakes, and their game management this year is evidence of that. Reid has implemented a high-tempo style of play and elevated the pay of his defense from a year ago, and as a result, the Chiefs have been unbeatable since Week 10.
Shanahan uses motion before the start of a play to keep that play unpredictable and the opposing defense in the dark. This gives his players more space and stretches the field horizontally, allowing the passing and running attack to be balanced and effective.
Both coaches deserve to win a Super Bowl, and it’s a shame only one can earn redemption this year. It will be fascinating to watch the chess match that plays out between them on Sunday.
These teams share storied histories, determination fueled by disappointment, and players that deserve to be Super Bowl Champions. Joey Bosa is an electrifying rookie who leads the Niners’ pass rush. Damien Williams is an underrated running back who makes the Chiefs offense that much scarier.
Terrell Suggs refuses to age. Neither does Richard Sherman. The list could go on and on. This Super Bowl has all the story lines could ask for, and features two talented teams, either of which could prevail. This one will be one to remember. Let the fight begin.
