Super Bowl LIV, GoingFor2 Style

Q. 49ers win if _______, and why?

A: I believe that San Francisco will win the Super Bowl if they are able to do two things: Control time of possession and prevent the big plays on defense. We have seen time and time again this season that the Chiefs’ Achilles Heel is stopping the run game. Three of the AFC South teams all took the same approach against the Chiefs this season.

The Titans, Colts, and Texans all ran the ball down the Chiefs suspect rush defense and limited the number of times the dangerous Patrick Mahomes touched the ball. Each of these teams controlled the clock and the line of scrimmage which fits perfectly into the 49ers scheme. They have a top-five offensive line and defensive line which allows them to run the ball efficiently on the offensive side of the ball and limit the big plays on defense since the opposing quarterback doesn’t have the time to allow big plays to develop.

The toughest match-up is going to be covering those fast WRs of Tyreek Hill, Robinson, and Hardman. If the 49ers stop those big plays from those guys on defense and control the time of possession on offense, they should win this game. – Monty

Prediction: 49ers 30-24

Q. Chiefs win if _______, and why?

A: The obvious answer to this will surely be Patrick Mahomes, but I’m going to be looking at the other side of the ball. The Chiefs will win the Super Bowl if they can stop the 49ers’ ground attack. Chris Jones and company will have to stop Raheem Mostert, who put up “Madden on Rookie” level numbers against Geen Bay, to the tune of 220 yards rushing and 4 TDs. The Chiefs have a tall task in front of them, but they do have some experience stopping the run.

Derrick Henry had literally run his team to the conference championship, putting up over 180 against both the Patriots and Ravens. The Chiefs were able to hold him to only 69 yards and managed to earn the victory. If the Chiefs can take the ball out of the hands of the 49ers running game, and put it into the hands of Jimmy Garoppolo, they will win this football game. Garoppolo will not be able to put up 77 yards and hope to compete with the track team that is the KC offense. – Dan Turner

Final Score: KC 41 49ers 24

Q. What on the field matchup are you most excited to see. Why?

A: Travis Kelce and George Kittle.

Q. The 49ers have just won the Super Bowl, and the MVP is ___________? Why?

A: The 49ers have just won the Super Bowl and the MVP is Richard Sherman.

If the 49ers are able to emerge victorious in Super Bowl LIV, it will likely be due to a great performance by the defense. Considering the Chief’s offensive prowess, that would be quite a feat. If San Francisco is able to shut down, or at least limit, Patrick Mahomes, and it leads to a victory, then the defense should receive the biggest credit for the super bowl.

There have been a total of 10 defensive players who have won the Super MVP. While there are a couple of examples of dominant defensive players winning this prestigious award (Ray Lewis, Von Miller) it typically goes to a player who makes a statistical impact on the game. It could be a player who accumulates several sacks. Or perhaps even a defender who can get a coup,e of interceptions. Better yet, if a defensive player scores a touchdown, then it certainly creates a strong case.

While the defensive line talent on the 49ers is deep, this may actually prevent any single player from making their mark. This is evidenced by the fact that DeForest Buckner was the only 1 member of San Francisco’s front-7 made the 2019 All-Pro list. That logically leads to the team’s shutdown cornerback Richard Sherman. Not only is he one of the best players, on the 49ers, he is among the best at his position in the entire league. If Sherman can create an impact play, such as a pick-6, then he will create a strong argument for a Super Bowl MVP. Considering that Patrick Mahomes is arguably the best quarterback in the league right now, that type of impact play on defense may be necessary for a San Francisco victory. –Kyle Senra

Game Pick: Chiefs 28 – 49ers 25

Q. The Chiefs have just won the Super Bowl, and the MVP is ___________? Why?

A: You can take this one to the bank. If the Kansas City Chiefs defeat the San Francisco 49ers starting QB Patrick Mahomes will be named MVP. The Chiefs RB corps just doesn’t include that type of back. Tight end Travis Kelce and wide receiver Tyreek Hill are match-up nightmares, but Mahomes has to throw both the ball. And, if Mahomes is stellar versus the Niners defensive line – it’s a wrap. Defensively, the Chiefs don’t really have any Richard Dent or Ray Lewis equivalents, but safety Tyrann Mathieu could become an important player in defending TE George Kittle or the Niners rushing attack. – R.L. Woodson

Super Bowl winner: KC 49-45

Q. If you are the 49ers, and you could take one player away other than the Patrick Mahomes, who is it and why?

A: A lot of people may take away Tyreek Hill, but I would rather take Travis Kelce away and here is why. First, the 49ers have struggled all year defending the tight end position. Jared Cook had two TDs in the first half when the Saints played the 49ers before getting knocked out of the game with a concussion. Rams tight end Tyler Higbee also had a big game against the 49ers towards the end of the year, and Mark Andrews led the Ravens in catches, yards and was the only player to catch a touchdown when they played in early December.

My pick: 49ers win 38-35

Q. If you are the Chiefs and you could take one player away other then the Jimmy Garoppolo, who is it and why?

A: Looking around the field at San Francisco, it’s easy to remove a couple of positions right off the bat. Their backfield is a three-headed monster with Mostert, Coleman, and Breida, so removing one of them will not change anything with their hot hand mentality. At the receiver position, Deebo Samuel is their man, but with how they’ve been running the rock the majority of the time lately, removing their #1 receiver isn’t the best value for this question.

It’s going to come down to removing their biggest offensive threat, George Kittle, or one of their many stars on the defensive side of the ball, mainly Nick Bosa or Richard Sherman. As mentioned earlier, San Fran has been running the ball superbly thus far in the playoffs, meaning Kittle hasn’t needed to be George Kittle. With only four receptions and 35 yards to his name in the playoffs this year, it’s safe to assume Bosa and Sherman carry the greater weight when answering this question.

Kansas City has undoubtedly the most potent passing attack in the league, but San Francisco has an elite level defense to counter that. So, where does San Francisco carry the bigger threat? Is it getting pressure on Mahomes or covering Kansas City in their trademark Cover Three defensive scheme? With the number of weapons Kansas City has (Kelce, Hill, Hardman, RB’s out of the backfield), they have the capability to isolate Sherman and stray away from throwing at him, which is what most teams do already. Covering Hill? That’s okay, Kelce has a pocket of space 12 yards down the field. Andy Reid’s offense is made to target the best matchup and exploit it, so I would rather have Sherman out there than Bosa.

Bosa has been the energizer on that defensive front all season long and you can bet the house that he’ll be 110% ready to wreak havoc on every single down with two weeks to prepare. Beating Kansas City starts by getting to Mahomes, so it’s obvious you want to take away the best weapon on a top tier defensive line. Kansas City’s line was tied for third in the regular season in sacks allowed, 25, and had an adjusted sack rate of just 4.9%, but the 49ers were second in sacks this year with 48. Bosa himself tallied nine and has added another three in the playoffs against Minnesota and Green Bay.

Even with the depth that San Francisco carries along their defensive line, Nick Bosa is the player I would want to remove. Bosa’s ability to get to the quarterback quickly, follow runners out of the backfield (including Mahomes, who has 106!!! rushing yards over the last two weeks), and pure talent to change a game make him the biggest threat for Kansas City to combat. Taking him away would allow the line to focus more on Armstead and a refreshed Dee Ford as well. – Troy Breisch

San Francisco wins 31-27

Q. What is your favorite Super Bowl storyline? And why?

A: The week leading to the Super Bowl is a media frenzy. Storylines arise from players, coaches and any bulletin board material from player interviews. One storyline, however, is my favorite: Andy Reid finally winning the Super Bowl has a head coach. For the past twenty-one years has a head coach Reid has won 207 games (7th all-time), and has accumulated a remarkable .618 winning percentage; nineteen winning seasons with only two seasons under .500. To break it down further Reid won .583 of his games with the Eagles and .688 of his games with the Chiefs. Reid has more wins than Chuck Noll, Bill Parcells, Mike Shanahan, Mike Holmgren and Joe Gibbs. His coaching tree is equally impressive: John Harbaugh, Doug Peterson has won Super Bowls, Ron Rivera has a Super Bowl appearance and Sean McDermott has taken the Buffalo Bills to the playoffs twice.

Reid should be celebrated as one of the greatest head coaches in NFL history; his questionable clock management, usage of time outs and his teams underachieving in the playoffs overshadow his greatness.

During the 2013-2014 season, the Chiefs had a 28 point lead against the Colts with 13:39 to play and lost; in 2016-2017 the Chiefs scored a whopping sixteen points against the Steelers at home and lost. The following year they had a 21-3 lead at halftime and lost to the Titans. Last season Dee Ford was penalized for being offsides on a game-sealing interception.

Winning the Super Bowl on Sunday will erase previous playoff shortcomings and cement his legacy has one of the greatest coaches in NFL history. – Tom Hardy

Q. These two teams play polar opposite styles, can the Chiefs win a knockdown drag-out fight that the 49ers want to play?

A: Absolutely the Chiefs can adapt to the way the San Francisco 49ers might try to control the game. I don’t believe that will happen, at all, but for the sake of an argument (or an article), I’ll have the conversation. And I’ll start with some basic math (now I know what you’re thinking, and you’re right, I’m not the math guy around here but give me a chance): ‘San Fran only allows on average 7.83 points by halftime and an average of 18.88 by the end of a game’. Which is amazing. I mean Kansas gets to halftime with an average at 17.55 points per game and hasn’t been kept below 10 points scored at the half once this year, have and also have only been kept below 18.88 for an entire game once this year, in a 13-19 loss to the Colts back in Week 5.

Ok, ok. But what about narrative? Everyone loves overblown narratives right?

Kansas won’t be able to stop Kyle Shanahan and the run-game: We all saw how the Chiefs game planned and shut Derrick Henry down successfully, I’m sure they’ll be fine stopping a committee.

But San Francisco will milk the clock and won’t let them on the field; they rank fourth overall for having ‘time in possession’: Yeah… but Kansas is ranked 4th this year for 1st downs (compared to the 49ers who are ranked 14th), so to think that Kansas can’t stay on the field and be efficient when they are, or that San Francisco will always be productive with the ball is also a bit nearsighted.

Nearsighted? But Jimmy Garoppolo was amazing in high scoring games like he was against New Orleans this year: Yeah he has been great this year and congrats on the comeback post ACL surgery, unbelievable stuff it is! That game was back in Week 13. He hasn’t had a multiple touchdown game since then (3 touchdowns, 3 intercepts in that span). He’s had four games without a passing touchdown and only six games where he has thrown multiple scores. So they’re going to ask him to be a game manager against (probably) the most high powered offense in the league? Really? Surely not…

I don’t think San Francisco will win this game no matter what way it plays out. I don’t think it will be a knock-down, drag-out fight people assume it could be if the 49ers ‘have their way’. I just flat out don’t believe Kansas will get sucked into that environment and aren’t good enough to get ahead making this scenario a possibility. So, as the kids would say: San Francisco, Roller-Disco, Gerald Brisco, Monte Cristo, it doesn’t matter. Chiefs winnin’ it all, 32-27.

Q. These two teams play polar opposite styles, can the 49ers win a high flying high scoring game that the Chiefs want to play? 

It may be a small sample size, but we did see the 49ers play a high-flying style game this year when the 49ers beat the Saints 48-to-46. So, the short answer to that question is, yes. What goes overlooked from this 49er team is that they were second in points per game to only the Baltimore Ravens this year. The 49ers are built on defense, of that there is no doubt, but their offense is very underrated this year. – Geoff Lambert

My pick: 49ers win 38-35

Q. If you are the 49ers would you rather have your defense on the field at the end of the game trying to hold a lead or your offense on the field needing to score to win the game?

A: This is a trick question, isn’t it? I’m a firm believer that, as a coach, you want your best players on the field when it matters most. For the 49ers that means having your defense on the field. I get it, the Chiefs offense is unstoppable but I’d put my money on Nick Bosa and that d-line beating an offensive lineman and getting to Mahomes over Jimmy G reading a defense and getting the ball to the right receiver in crunch time. Kyle gets all the credit in the world for getting here but let’s not forget his “scheme” gave up a 28-3 lead to the Patriots not too long ago. One sack/fumble is a lot more feasible than a 70+ yard drive with 2< left in the game. — Matthew Garrett

As one of the many resident Eagle fans at Goingfor2 I’m picking, and rooting for, Andy Reid to get his first ring. Give me the Chiefs in a barn burner 45-38. Our fearless leader, Geoff, roots for the 49ers so I apologize in advance for not picking the squad. I just have a soft spot for Big Red.

Q. Which player are you most excited to see during media week leading up to the Super Bowl? And why?

A: Travis Kelce. This one is a no-brainer for me as Travis is an All-Pro talent, already comfortable in the spotlight. You will recall his brother, Jason Kelce, captured the hearts of the Philadelphia Eagles fans for his performances before and after the Super Bowl. Travis has the opportunity to do the same. We know he will give us some great quotes leading up to the Super Bowl. Only time will tell if he will get the same opportunity during a parade like his big brother. They have a shot at cementing their legacy on the Mount Rushmore of sibling champions. No pressure Travis. – Clay Hodges

My Prediction: Travis gets his parade! Chiefs-35, 49ers-24.

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