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After 16 grueling weeks of the NFL regular season followed by two playoff games, the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs are set to do battle in Super Bowl 54 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The Chiefs are slight 1.5-point favorites, with the total coming in at 54 points, but I’m going to outline three reasons why betting on the underdog 49ers is the way to approach the big game.
Be sure to check out Gilles Gallant’s three reasons why Kansas City will win as well as Ryan Fowler’s game preview for Super Bowl 54. For all your Super Bowl 54 betting information, head over to our NFL page.
San Fran’s Secondary
Passing on San Francisco has been a tough task for opponents all season. Five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Richard Sherman shuts down the left side of the field, where QBs seldom throw the ball. His prowess was on full display in the Niners’ divisional round matchup with Minnesota when he picked off Kirk Cousins early in the third quarter. Sherman had another pick in the conference championship when Aaron Rodgers aired one out for a long bomb.
On the other side of the field is second-year corner Emmanuel Moseley, who also had a pick against the Packers. Overall, the 49ers surrendered the fewest passing yards per game (169.2) in the NFL, forcing teams to run the ball.
Multi-Pronged Offensive Attack
The 49ers racked up the fourth-most yards per game (381.1) in the regular season while ranking second in points per game (29.9). But unlike many teams in the NFL, San Fran had a very balanced attack, producing 237 passing yards per game (13th) and 144.1 rushing yards per game (second).
Now, that rushing attack may look a little different in the Super Bowl because of the shoulder injury to lead running back Tevin Coleman, but Raheem Mostert took over that role nicely against Green Bay – 220 yards and four touchdowns on 29 carries. Through the air, SF has weapons in Emmanuel Sanders and Deebo Samuel at the wideout position and most notably George Kittle at tight end. Kittle had 1,053 yards and five touchdowns on 85 catches this season.
Niners Defensive Line
I’ve mentioned the remarkable pass defense from the perspective of the secondary, but a part of that success against opposing QBs is the outstanding pass rush. San Francisco had the fifth-most sacks this season at 48, led by potential defensive rookie of the year Nick Bosa (9) and Arik Armstead (10). DeForest Buckner added 7.5 sacks and the trio has combined for six sacks in two playoff games.
If the Chiefs find themselves in any third-and-long situations, expect these wolves to pin their ears back and chase down Mahomes. They may have a tough time getting to the Chiefs QB, though, as KC allowed the third-fewest sacks this season, but that offensive line will have to play lights-out or else.
