The Big Game is finally here! Super Bowl 54 is soon approaching. In less than 7 days our nation will collectively stop what we’re doing and start enjoying the biggest sporting event in America. The storylines that will be talked about at nauseam all week will play out in three and a half hours for our enjoyment during Super Bowl 54. The Chiefs offense against the 49ers defense; the quick strike passing attack of Kansas City against the methodical (at times) running game of San Francisco; Andy Reid’s clock management issues against Kyle Shanahan ‘28-3’.
With Lamar Jackson taking the league by storm and Patrick Mahomes being injured for a good chunk of the year, many people were reintroduced to the 2018 MVP during the divisional round game against the Houston Texans. The Chiefs had 4 scoring drives of under 1:32 and another touchdown in 2:03. The quick strike nature of KC can have any defense reeling within seconds, but I think the 49ers will be prepared. Their defense doesn’t have the speed to match the Chiefs’ skill positions (who does?), but if they can get to Mahomes early and force punts, the Chiefs can find themselves down double-digit points as they were in their first two playoff games this year.
The 49ers hold the number 2 rushing offense this year and the Chiefs, while better in the second half of the season and particularly good against the Rushing Title winner Derek Henry, still have the 25th rank rush defense in the league. If the Chiefs follow their recent trend of getting down early, their blazing fast offense might not have all the time it needs with the 49ers taking the air out of the ball.
If the 49ers can implement a ‘bend don’t break’ strategy when it comes to the Chiefs big play offense, I believe they will have a great shot at winning this game. Patrick Mahomes has been the leading rusher in the last two playoff games for the Chiefs. This gives the Niners the opportunity to forget the run and focus solely on the quarterback. If the 49ers can hold him in the pocket with pressure, they can pack the short field with defenders and make his day very uncomfortable. As we have seen in the past, Mahomes is elusive enough to have that plan backfire but not against this athletic and explosive defensive line. Does defense win championships or can elite offense help seal the Super Bowl 54 victory for the Chiefs?
My key to the game will be the rushing attack for San Francisco, they are 12-2 including the playoffs if they rush for over 100 yards. I think if they make it to their season average of 155 yards they will win the game. In the end, I believe the combination of pass rush and run game will both favor the 49ers and they will win Super Bowl 54 28-24.
By: Michael Rasile
Check out our other pro betting picks in a video by Jason Mezrahi and Scott Engel.
