Superbowl Preview: San Francisco 49ers

Superbowl Preview: San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers are headed back to the Superbowl after a dominating win against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game. The final score was 37-20. Superbowl 54 is this weekend in Miami and the 49ers will be battling against the high-powered offense in the Kansas City Chiefs. The Niners are on their quest for 6 championships to tie with the New England Patriots, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 49ers come back to the Superbowl since 2013 after a loss from the Baltimore Ravens. After the Niners finished 4-12 last year, they had one of the biggest turn arounds ever with a 13-3 record this year to reach the Superbowl.

The 49ers have dominated all year long and its no surprise they are playing in this year’s Superbowl. The 49ers were ranked 4th in total yards, 13th in passing yards, 2nd in rushing yards, 2nd in Points, and 5th in 3rd down %. Having a great dynamic running game and great players on the receiving group lead to a great offense. Offensive players Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback, George Kittle, Emmanuel Sanders, and rookie Deeboo Samuel make up their receivers. Then their triple-headed running back group of  Tevin Coleman (who is currently questionable) but in line to play this Sunday, 49ers rushing leader Raheem Mostert, and Matt Breida too, with fullback Kyle Juszczyk to help block as well.

On the defensive side of the ball that’s where they are best. Ranked 2nd in total yards, 1st in passing yards, 17th in rushing yards, 8th in points, tied for 2nd in 3rd down %, 48 total sacks, 23 forced fumbles, and 12 interceptions. This defense is lead by many great players like Rookie Nick Bosa, DeForest Buckner, Dee Ford, and Arik Armstead on the D-line. Linebackers are lead by Kwon Alexander, Fred Warner, and Dre Greenlaw. As for their secondary, they are lead by Richard Sherman, Jaquiski Tartt, Jimmy Ward, and many other flexible corners they have.

The 49ers have been great during the postseason as no team can stop this run game. The team is getting a lot of flak for how it is using Jimmy Garoppolo versus him being paid that large salary to  hand the ball off. Garoppolo carried this team late down the stretch when the defense wasn’t playing that great. He went toe to toe with Drew Brees in a shoot out game earlier this year where they won. Garoppolo who has the best QBR (quarterback rating) when his team is trailing. He can make the big throws when needed and is a clutch player. You can see he has a lot of Tom Brady’s Leadership inside of him, as he was Brady’s backup for years.. He has 7 comebacks/ game-winning drives in only 21 starts and sports a 21-5 record as a starter.

The Chiefs are -1.5 favorites to win the Superbowl. It should be a good matchup and entertaining to watch. The Chief’s number 1 offense vs 49ers number 1 defense. “Defense wins championships,” they say and underdogs usually end up winning the Superbowl, but we shall see what goes down in Superbowl 54 on Sunday.