The Crucial Roles That Could Determine the Outcome of Super Bowl LVIII for the Kansas City Chiefs

The Crucial Roles That Could Determine the Outcome of Super Bowl LVIII for the Kansas City Chiefs

This Sunday, all eyes will be on the Super Bowl LVIII matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. The Chiefs find themselves in their fourth Super Bowl appearance in just five years, a remarkable achievement that has cemented their status as one of the NFL’s powerhouse teams.

As the national media dissects this showdown, the spotlight naturally falls on the familiar stars of the Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Chris Jones, and head coach Andy Reid are sure to be the subjects of extensive coverage. The remarkable performances of the defense, led by Steve Spagnuolo and featuring talents like Trent McDuffie and L’Jarius Sneed, will undoubtedly be analyzed.

However, let’s not forget that in this Super Bowl, the outcome might hinge on lesser-known position groups, ones that are often overlooked but carry immense significance. The Chiefs must rely on these units not to falter and allow the 49ers to seize control of the game from Mahomes.

Starting with our third-ranked position group:

The Chiefs linebackers Kansas City’s defense has shone brightly this season, earning accolades for their stellar performances. Their ability to continue this dominance against the 49ers will be pivotal in securing another Super Bowl victory. While Chris Jones, George Karlaftis, and Mike Danna are essential components, the group that the 49ers could exploit is the Chiefs’ linebackers.

The 49ers possess an offensive dynamo in running back Christian McCaffrey, who can wreak havoc both as a ball carrier and a receiver out of the backfield. KC’s linebackers are generally reliable tacklers, but they are susceptible to getting caught out of position or overcommitting. San Francisco’s crafty play-caller, Kyle Shanahan, will likely devise a strategy to exploit this vulnerability. If the Chiefs’ linebackers fail to maintain their positions, McCaffrey could exploit gaps in the run game, and play-action passes may expose them to crossing routes behind their backs.

Shanahan is likely to seek one-on-one matchups with his star running back against linebackers in coverage, a scenario that favors the 49ers. While it would be fantastic for the linebackers to make game-changing plays, their primary duty is to avoid being a liability. If Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill, Leo Chenal, and Willie Gay can have a solid day on Sunday, it will bolster the confidence in the rest of the defense and Spagnuolo’s game plan.

Moving on to the group in second place:

The Chiefs wide receivers Few position groups have faced more criticism this season than the Chiefs’ wide receivers. Valid or not, they have been the target of scrutiny due to drops and inconsistency. Despite having an offensive genius as head coach, the NFL’s top quarterback in Mahomes, and the greatest pass-catching tight end in history in Kelce, the wide receivers have often struggled.

Rookie Rashee Rice has emerged as a bright spot in the latter part of the season, earning Mahomes’ trust and delivering consistent production with potential for big yards after the catch. In this game, Mahomes and Kelce may be central, but they’ll need support from other receivers, starting with Rice. Over the last nine games, Rice has averaged 7 receptions and 82 yards per game. If he can replicate these numbers in the Super Bowl, it will significantly boost the offense.

The Chiefs may also require contributions from other receivers like Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Justin Watson to stretch the field vertically, creating space for Kelce and preventing the 49ers from crowding the box against Isiah Pacheco’s rushing attempts. If MVS continues his recent form, it would be a major advantage.

Last season, when the Chiefs dismantled the 49ers’ defense, they did so by keeping the edge rushers off balance with jet sweeps and motions. This is where players like Mecole Hardman and Kadarius Toney could play a vital role in the game plan, even if they don’t receive many downfield targets. Their pre-snap motions and ability to carry the ball on sweeps could disrupt the 49ers’ edge defenders.

Finally, our top-ranked position group:

The Chiefs offensive tackles Chiefs fans place unwavering trust in Patrick Mahomes to win games. However, we’ve seen him struggle in the Super Bowl when under constant pressure, as was the case against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Costly penalties during the regular season further exacerbated the problem, with the team’s offensive tackles being responsible for several of them.

Similar to the linebackers, the Chiefs don’t require their offensive tackles to perform at an All-Pro level. They simply need them not to be a major liability. Donovan Smith and Jawaan Taylor have exceeded expectations in pass protection this season. If they maintain this level of performance in the Super Bowl, Mahomes should have the time to execute the offense effectively.

The real concern is whether they can avoid committing costly penalties that disrupt drives. The 49ers have already initiated a public campaign to draw attention to the Chiefs’ tackles, hoping to influence the officials to scrutinize them closely, particularly regarding holding penalties. Taylor, in particular, has been under the microscope.

The Chiefs’ tackles have faced their share of criticism this season, but as long as they can have a solid day without major blunders, the offense should operate smoothly. No position group has the potential to derail the Chiefs’ offense more than the tackles, and the 49ers are well aware of this, attempting to get into the tackles’ heads before kickoff.

Chiefs fans hope these position groups rise to the occasion and assist in securing another Super Bowl victory. If all three groups perform at an average level, there’s confidence that the rest of the team and coaching staff will deliver the win. However, if they struggle, even the exceptional Mahomes may face insurmountable hurdles. Here’s to hoping these groups step up and help Kansas City cement its place among NFL history’s greatest.