Chiefs Should Exploit This 49ers Weakness in Super Bowl LIV
By Scott Rogust
Super Bowl LIV is just days away, and it's arguably one of the more enticing matchups on paper in recent memory: the Kansas City Chiefs vs. the San Francisco 49ers.
The Chiefs explosive offense will face its toughest challenge to date in the form of Robert Saleh's dominant defense, led by Richard Sherman and Nick Bosa.
Even so, Kansas City does hold an advantage in one aspect, and that's the inexperience of 49ers signal caller Jimmy Garoppolo.
The stage is almost set for #SBLIV ?@Chiefs @49ers pic.twitter.com/3niyyXAHmo
— SNF on NBC (@SNFonNBC) January 28, 2020
While Garoppolo has been a part of two Super Bowl-winning teams while a backup to Tom Brady on the New England Patriots, he's never played in a game quite like this. While Patrick Mahomes has never appeared in a Super Bowl, he's been heavily featured in the Chiefs' path to the big game, whilst Garoppolo has played second fiddle to San Francisco's rushing attack.
For Kansas City, they must exploit that by stacking the box and placing pressure on Garoppolo. By doing so, they will eliminate the 49ers' main strength by neutralizing the likes of Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman.
Why does everyone ask how the 49ers will adapt? Can @JimmyG_10 throw if the Chiefs stop the run game? Can the niners play man defense if they need to?
— Rhodes Wroth (@RhodesWroth) January 28, 2020
Are we ever going to ask the question: What will the Chiefs do if the niners take away what they like to do?
Hey, the Chiefs limited the Derrick Henry and the Tennessee Titans to under 100 yards rushing in the AFC Championship Game for the first time since Week 8. If any team is capable of slowing down the 49ers ground attack, it's the Chiefs.
The @Chiefs held the Titans under 100 rush yards for the first time since Week 8.
— GMFB (@gmfb) January 20, 2020
The crew reacts to a dominant Chiefs defense ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/6rXkaMXtxe
Once the run game is out of the picture, Garoppolo will be forced to air it out. That could prove to be a problem, especially with Chris Jones, Frank Clark, and Terrell Suggs rushing him, and Tyrann Mathieu ball hawking in the secondary.
This isn't to say Garoppolo is a bad quarterback. He's shown his ability to to lead the 49ers to victory and throw the ball accurately. But, we've seen good quarterbacks crack when facing tough defensive pressure in the Super Bowl.
Steve Spagnuolo already has great Super Bowl memories, and he'd like to add more https://t.co/YysyMy7j69
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) January 28, 2020
Look no further than Tom Brady in Super Bowl XLII against the New York Giants. Despite his historic season, he couldn't get anything done against the onslaught of the Giants defense. The mastermind behind that game plan was, ironically, current Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
If the Chiefs rush Garoppolo in the pocket, their chances of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy only increase.