What will be the legacy of the current iteration of the San Francisco 49ers after Super Bowl 58? Legacy. Legacy is something every person who’s ever done something meaningful worries about. How does someone remember what you brought to the world? Super Bowl 58 has the chance to be the legacy of the current core of the San Francisco 49ers. It will determine how the NFL community fundamentally remembers them. Will their legacy be, as One Direction put it, the “greatest team that the world has ever seen” or Madonna’s modern-day hairstyle?
Life is good in Kansas City. No matter what happens in this game, Andy Reid will go down as one of the greatest to ever do it. Patrick Mahomes will still be hot on Tom Brady‘s heels for the title of Greatest of All Time and Mr. Swift will still be one of the best tight ends ever. The Chiefs will be simultaneously idolized and hated as the NFL’s next great dynasty, replacing the void left by Brady and Bill Belichick. For the 49ers? This might be their last time to cement their legacy, or just be another obscure trivia question in 32 years.
The 49ers Offensive Legacy
Take Kyle Shanahan for instance. His legacy after this game is something that was already been explored deeply. But this game affects the legacies of many players on the roster. Quarterback Brock Purdy winning a Super Bowl in his 2nd season and first season starting? After being picked last and all that jazz? This is the fairytale ending for the Princess Anna Frey story. His legacy will always be looked back on and be viewed with pride.
Tackle Trent Williams would finally be able to make a legitimate claim to being the best tackle to ever do it. A ring would be the icing on the cake. Tight end George Kittle is a persona and an enigma for the sport of football. Kittle making do on his promise back in 2019 that he “will be back here” would go in his legacy. Running back Christian McCaffrey is already one of the best running backs the game has ever seen, but a ring would validate his achievements, and ultimately his legacy.
The Steve Spagnuolo Effect
This is a game that is going to come down to what the 49ers offense can do against the Chiefs defense. Relying on a recently struggling defense to stop Patrick Mahomes isn’t a very good strategy at all, for obvious reasons. Can Shanahan beat a Chiefs defense led by one of the most innovative defensive coaches in the league, Steve Spagnuolo? In the same way, can Spagnuolo devise defensive packages that confuse Purdy and goad him into making bad decisions?
The Ravens certainly proved that this is possible. Former Ravens defensive coordinator and now Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald thoroughly confused Purdy in their Christmas Day showdown. That was by far Purdy’s worst game as a pro, and he threw 4 interceptions. This was solely because of the confusing and deceiving looks MacDonald gave the 2nd-year pro. Remember, for all of Purdy’s achievements and strengths, he still is only in his first season as a starter. Spags can certainly do the same, if not better.
But another thing that the 49ers should be aware of is what the Chiefs defense tries to achieve. They can allow 5 or 6 yards on first down, but their defense makes a living of forcing the offense into a loss on the early downs. If 1st and 10 or 2nd and 6 become 1st and 14 or 2nd and 10, it creates a huge advantage for the defense. The Chiefs do this with well-timed run blitzes and regular blitzes coming from different players to put the quarterback in the ground.
What Should The 49ers Offense Do?
The Chiefs are not too good against the run. The 49ers have the best running back in the league and the offensive player of the year on the team. The Chiefs are missing run-key pieces on the defensive line. The 49ers have Trent Williams, George Kittle, and Kyle Juszczyk blocking. Following yet? This has the makings of being a massive advantage in favor of the 49ers. Coincidently, establishing the run will also be key in keeping Patrick Mahomes on the bench and off the field.
If Shanahan comes into this game with a passing mentality, it will mostly be ill-advised. For all of Purdy’s achievements, everyone saw what he looked like against a defense that disguises its coverages to perfection. Ultimately, the game could come down to Purdy on the last few drives of a close game, but the pass should not be the main method of moving the ball. The Chiefs put the opposing teams in difficult long downs, and it’s best to avoid that as much as possible by running the ball.
49ers’ X-Factors – Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and Brock Purdy.
The 49ers will need to run the ball plenty and getting the ball out in space to Deebo Samuel will be key. Of course, Purdy is the ultimate X-Factor. He is the quarterback after all, and if he doesn’t play well the 49ers will lose. Purdy will need to play like what he looked like in the 2nd half against the Lions. Calm, confident, and takes what the defense gives him. They need Brock Purdy the playmaker, but he also needs to know when to take the checkdown to avoid a turnover.
Samuel isn’t being talked about much, but when he’s motivated and at his best he’s as unstoppable as anybody. The 49ers will need an ounce of All-Pro 2021 Deebo to win this game. If he’s able to break tackles, explode into the open field, and do all the little things like jet sweeps, the 49ers have a big chance of winning this game.
Chiefs’ X-Factors – Nick Bolton, Willie Gay, and Drue Tranquill.
Yes. These are 3 linebackers. And all 3 of them will have to be at their best for the Chiefs defense to be in control on Sunday. Cornerbacks L’Jarius Snead and Trent McDuffie are already great players, but it’s these 3 who will have to take on McCaffrey and Deebo the runner. They may also have to defend McCaffrey in man coverage. It’s imperative that they are flying around at their best on Sunday if the Chiefs want to force punts. Stopping the run is the first step to victory and that will be up to these 3.
How Each Team Can Win
Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes has an otherworldly day, but Isiah Pacheco is also running well. Kansas City gets all of their horizontal actions, screens, and sweeps going and wears down the 49ers. The Chiefs’ defense contains McCaffrey and Spagnuolo confuses Purdy.
49ers: The 49ers’ defense can shut down Pacheco and force Mahomes to go downfield to receivers other than Travis Kelce. The offense is able to maintain drives and Purdy plays mistake-free and efficient football. McCaffrey and Samuel get going early and wear down the Chiefs’ defense.
Prediction
The 49ers come out with a revenge. Their defense comes out with vengeance in their young and they play with maximum effort. Steve Wilks devises a game plan that will force the onus on Kansas City’s subpar wide receivers. The offense is efficient and can run the ball with efficiency. Purdy plays a very good game and leads a game-winning drive. Shanahan, Purdy, and the 2023 San Francisco 49ers entrench their legacy.
49ers 24 Chiefs 21
Main Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
