2020 Super Bowl Preview

The 2019-2020 NFL season is finally coming to an end. Tomorrow the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers will face off in Miami in the super bowl. This is one of the most exciting super bowl matchups we’ve seen in years and you’re not going to want to miss a second of the action. This year’s super bowl pins the best player and best young quarterback in the league, Patrick Mahomes, up against the best defense in the entire league. It’s going to be so much fun watching Mahomes make some absolutely ridiculous throws against one of if not the best secondary in the NFL.

Welcome to our 2019-2020 super bowl preview where I’ll answer some of the biggest questions surrounding the big game and make my prediction for who will take the Vince Lombardi trophy home.

Who is the Most Important Non-Quarterback for Each Team?

Kansas City Chiefs: Derrick Nnadi/Mike Pennel

The 49ers have gotten to this point because of their dominant run game. Jimmy Garoppolo hs only thrown the ball 27 times in the playoffs while Tevin Coleman and Raheem Mostert have taken care of business running the ball. The Chiefs’ Jimmy Johnson inspired 4-3 over front has been their bread and butter against the run this season and the 49ers will see plenty of it tomorrow. This kind of defense relies heavily on the nose tackle’s ability to fill gaps and keep the running back from running up the middle on power runs. If the Chiefs want any chance to win this game, they’ll need Derrick Nnadi and Mike Pennel to step up and do their job in their 4-3 fronts. Chris Jones sucks at stopping the run so the Chiefs will rely on Nnadi and Pennel to stop the 49ers’ lethal run game.

San Francisco 49ers: Nick Bosa

This was a really difficult decision. I considered Tevin Coleman/Raheem Mostert, George Kittle, and the entire offensive line, but the key to the 49ers winning this game is stopping Patrick Mahomes. You won’t force him to make mental mistakes, so the only way you can stop Mahomes is by putting pressure on him with your pass rush. Luckily for them, the 49ers have the best pass rush in the NFL. if Nick Bosa, Erik Armstead, Deforest Buckner, and Dee Ford can get to Mahomes and put him on the ground, they can take the pressure of their defensive backs and make things easy for the poor soul who has to cover Tyreek Hill.

Where Would Patrick Mahomes Rank in the G.O.A.T Conversation With a Win Tomorrow?

One ring isn’t enough for Mahomes to be the G.O.A.T, but it would put him on track to pass Tom Brady when it’s all said and done. I’ve said multiple times on The Wire Podcast that I thought Mahomes would have a real chance to be the G.O.A.T someday if he wins a ring this year. Patrick Mahomes is only 24 years old and this is his resume so far:

2x Pro Bowl (2018, 2019)

First-team All-Pro (2018)

NFL Most Valuable Player (2018)

NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2018)

3-1 in the Playoffs

AFC Champion (2019)

Add a ring and you have a pretty good resume for anybody, much less a 24-year-old quarterback who just finished his 2nd season as the full-time starter. If Patrick Mahomes leads the Chiefs to a victory tomorrow, I would be willing to bet money that he will pass Tom Brady as the greatest NFL player of all time when it’s all said and done. He’s that good and I don’t see him slowing down.

Better Unit: the Chiefs’ Passing Attack or the 49ers’ Pass Rush?

The only thing that has stopped the Chiefs’ passing attack this year is a dislocated knee that Mahomes suffered vs. the Broncos early this season. Since Week 10 the Chiefs have been on fire and in the playoffs, their offense has been unstoppable. I love the 49ers’ pass rush, which dominated vs. the Vikings, sacking Kirk Cousins SIX times, but no one is stopping the Chiefs’ passing attack with the way Patrick Mahomes has been playing. In two games this postseason Mahomes has thrown for 615 yards and 8 touchdowns with 0 interceptions. Disgusting!

Prediction: Chiefs or 49ers?

I’m shocked by how confident people are in the Chiefs in this game. I’ve heard some people *cough* Trent Dilfer *cough* say that the Chiefs could blow out the 49ers. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that ain’t happening. This is a bad matchup for the Chiefs. Their front seven has struggled vs. the run at times this season and their defensive backs struggle in man coverage. Kyle Shannahan is going to exploit the Chiefs’ defense. I don’t care how much Kansas City’s defense has improved this season, they’re going to get sliced up tomorrow night. I’m not worried about the Chiefs’ offense at all because Patrick Mahomes is on another level right now. He’s gonna get his and keep the Chiefs in this game, but I think the 49ers’ offense is a matchup nightmare for their defense. I won’t be surprised if the Chiefs win just because Mahomes has been absolutely incredible, but I’m picking the 49ers to win and whoever starts at running back (Mostert or Coleman) to win super bowl MVP.

I hope you enjoyed and stay tuned for some NFL draft content we'll be releasing as we wait for the combine and the NFL draft.