Super Bowl LVIII Preview: San Francisco 49ers (2-11-24)

By: Victor Herrera

Headline Photo Credit: Darrell Owens-Bowie TV

The San Francisco 49ers are going to the Super Bowl In Las Vegas to take on the Kansas City Chiefs on February 11, 2024. The 49ers are coming off a historic comeback against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship game. Heading into the rematch of the 2020 Super Bowl, there are 3 keys the 49ers must have to be successful.

The first key is better defensive play. The 49er defense has to play a full 60 minutes to be successful against the Kansas City Chiefs led by Patrick Mahomes. During the Divisional round against Green Bay and the NFC Championship, the 49ers got to a slow start defensively allowing a total of 31 points. Although they were able to be effective during the 2nd half. Going up against the Kansas City Chiefs is no easy task. An early deficit large enough could make it impossible for the offense to come back.

The second key is the 49ers have to develop a running game. This is something that was not dominant during the past two games. The 49ers were held to 111 rushing yards against Green Bay. The lack of a running attack made it difficult for the 49ers to score in the first half in the previous 2 games. Utilizing Deebo Samuel in the running game could help expand the attack. However, Samuel has not been able to stay healthy and Christian McCaffrey who took a tackle that caused him to land on his head is cause for concern leading into this game.

The final key for the 49ers is to have more consistent quarterback play. Brock Purdy did do good things during the NFC Championship with his 2 rushing plays but has not done his best this postseason. Although earning the win to go to the Super Bowl, many plays could have kept this from happening. A total of 4 passes that Brock Purdy threw should have been intercepted as they hit the defender either in the hands, chest, or facemask. These are mistakes that could be lived with against the Lions who have arguably the worst secondary in the league. Brock Purdy will have to display a full game of great quarterback play. He cannot get into a shootout with Mahomes and allow his running game to open the passing game.

I believe it will be a good game and will rely heavily on the talented defense of the 49ers. I do think this could be the year the 49ers get it done and break the Shanahan curse.