Strong running game, defensive front and coach with Super Bowl chops shaped 49ers
Here’s the Super Bowl-edition scouting report for the San Francisco 49ers, who face the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV Sunday.
Coach
In a dramatic turnaround season, Kyle Shanahan transformed a 4-12 team from 2018 into a 13-3 squad that was the NFC’s top seed and rolled through Minnesota and Green Bay in home playoff games to reach the franchise’s first Super Bowl since 2012.
The son of former Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan, who won two Super Bowls, Kyle leans on his father for tips. Mike watches the 49ers’ practice tape and lends advice.
Before taking over the 49ers, Kyle Shanahan was the Falcons’ offensive coordinator when Atlanta fell victim to the New England Patriots’ great comeback victory in Super Bowl LI. Before Atlanta, Shanahan was an offensive coordinator with Houston, Washington and Cleveland.
Offense
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was acquired in a trade with the Patriots about midway through the 2017 season. As a starter he’s complied a 19-5 record, completing 67.7 percent of his passes with 39 touchdowns.
The 49ers win games with Garoppolo’s arm — he’s passed for as many as 424 yards in a victory this season — and with their rushing attack. Against the Packers, Garoppolo attempted only eight passes. The Niners’ ground game is outstanding: Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman and Matt Breida combined to rush for 135 yards per game behind an excellent offensive line.
Mostert’s 220 rushing yards against the Packers in the NFC title game were the second most in a playoff game by a back in the Super Bowl era. The 49ers’ top receiving target, George Kittle, was named All-Pro this year, an award that went to the Chiefs’ Travis Kelce the previous season.
San Francisco averaged 29.9 points per game, second in the NFL. The Chiefs know 49ers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders well from his days with the Broncos, and rookie Deebo Samuel led the Niners’ wideouts with 57 catches. And don’t forget about Kyle Juszczyk, a Pro Bowl pick and one of the NFL’s top blocking fullbacks.
Defense
The 49ers surrendered 19.4 points per game this season, ranking eighth in the league in scoring defense. They’ve allowed 83 rushing yards in two playoff games, but part of that is the fact that the Niners haven’t trailed in the postseason. Their front four could be the NFL’s best, with ends Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead and Dee Ford and DeForest Bucker in the middle. But they face a challenge in getting to Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs have excelled in pass protection throughout the playoffs.
San Francisco owns the NFL’s top passing defense at 169 yards allowed per game. Inside linebacker Fred Warner is one of the best at his position and leads the Niners’ back seven. Cornerback Richard Sherman is the heart of the secondary and has returned to elite status after recovering from an Achilles injury.
Special teams
Kicker Robbie Gould is 41 of 42 on extra points and 23 of 31 on field goals. His 54-yard field goal against the Packers was the longest in 49ers franchise history. He got off to a rough start this year but has made 15 straight.
Punter Mitch Wishnowsky averages 44.9 yards per attempt. According to Rick Gosselin’s rankings, the 49ers ranked 19th overall in special teams this season. Richie James returned a kickoff 81 yards against the Rams this season and the 49ers average 20.1 yards per kickoff return and 8.0 per punt return.
This story was originally published January 30, 2020 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Strong running game, defensive front and coach with Super Bowl chops shaped 49ers."