Top 5 Factors to Watch in Superbowl LIV

1) The Pass Rush

These are two of the best QBs in the league.  Everyone knows Mahomes is a stud and Jimmy Garrapollo’s record speaks for itself. The success of the QB play will have everything to do with the battle of the trenches. Who can stop the run, forcing the offense to be one dimensional and who can consistently put pressure on the QB? The 49ers have taken on a new identity this season after falling 4-12 last year, they are now a Superbowl team in part due to the massive impact rookie sensation Nick Bosa has provided from the Defensive End position.  Bosa, the defensive rookie of the year, had a total of nine sacks during the regular season and proving not to be a fluke as his performance has carried over into the playoffs where he has already recorded three sacks in just two games. It will be fun to watch how Bosa can effect Mahomes over the course of the game. Meanwhile, the Chiefs have a weapon of their own. Frank Clark is borderline impossible to block. many have tried, all have failed. Since being acquired by the Chiefs he has been not only a dominant pass rusher, but the best in the league, and in the two playoff games, he has recorded four sacks.  The amount of pressure on these two superstar QBs may be the only way to slow them down and it must be tracked over the course of the game.

2) The Run Game

Last week against the TItans the Chiefs used the run game very effectively in the third quarter, taking time off the clock, and setting up Mahomes for the play-action pass.  A balanced offense will go a long way for the Kansas City attack. On the other side, the 49ers run game has been unstoppable.  They have run for 471 yards in two playoff games if the Chiefs can not stop it, then the Niners will keep Mahomes off the field, winning the time of possessions game, and it most likely run their way to the Lambeau trophy.  Niners dominate the run game as they have, I don’t see a world where San Francisco wins their 6th ring. On the other side of the ball, last week against the TItans the Chiefs used the run game very effectively in the third quarter, taking time off the clock, and setting up Mahomes for the play-action pass. A balanced offense will go a long way for the Kansas City attack.

3) New Decade, New Era

It may be coincidental but this Superbowl being the first in the new decade does not have, Belichick, Brady, and the Patriots. With rumors that Brady may be leaving, the Pats being one of the league leaders in expiring free agents, and failing to make the AFC championship for the first time in 9 years, the time is now for the next NFL dynasty and the winner of this game may prove to be exactly that. The Niners have an innovative offensive play-caller head coach, a QB with all the tools, and dominant offense and defensive lines.  They are set up and are destined for prolonged success, dominating the NFC over this decade. Meanwhile, the Chiefs offense is an electric force with no sign of ever stopping. Patrick Mahomes in 2 years has established himself as not just the best young QB in the league, not just the best QB in the league, but maybe the greatest player who has ever lived. No one is on this guys level, he consistently shreds defenses throwing for at least 300 yards passing. Paired with Andy Reid who although never winning a Superbowl is one of the most accomplished coaches in football. With Mahomes and Reid it doesn’t seem to matter who else in the roster, these chiefs have a shot at the Superbowl, year in year out.  With the door open it is time for a new dynasty to reign over the national football league.

4) Kelce vs. Kittle

The two best tight ends on the planet face off in this contest. They both have similar play styles, speed and size make them a go-to target on third down. While Kelce may be a more proven threat being a four-time pro-bowler. Kittle has proven his own importance with last week’s performance against the Packers where he was a major factor blocking in their run dominant performance.  Watching these two tight ends make their presence known will be fun to watch over the course of a 60-minute contest.

5) Two Legendary Kickers

Don’t be quick to discount the importance of a strong kicking game. These two kickers are absolute legends. Robbie Gould, a longtime Chicago Bear, has plenty of experience.  He has made 381 kicks at an 86% rate over his career and coming in hot after banging a 54-yard kick through the posts in the NFC Championship. Meanwhile, the Chiefs Harrison Butker is Mr. Automatic. Since joining the league in 2017 Butker has made kicks at 89 percent, and has proven himself to have one of the strongest legs in the game by making a 70-yard field goal, 6 yards longer than the NFL record, in warmups.  While there is no doubt that there are more factors in a game than kickers, how many double doinks does it take to remember how important a great, reliable kicker is in a playoff game.